only thing she felt was surprise, surprise that it didn’t bother her. ‘No. It doesn’t bother me. In fact, I’m relieved.’ She looked at Dominic, smiling as she reached out to take his hand. ‘I’m relieved because this means that, finally, he’s got someone else to focus on – another child, a new life… a whole new start...’
He squeezed her hand, leaning in to kiss her mouth slowly. ‘A whole new start for all of us, India.’
She looked at him, into those beautiful eyes that were still just a touch too much like his father’s, but she guessed that was something she was still having to get used to. ‘Everything’s so complicated though, Dominic… finding out Michael’s your dad, getting involved with me…’
He reached out to gently stroke her warm cheek, leaning in for another slow, deep kiss. ‘A new start, India. And anyway, if everything was easy it would be boring, wouldn’t it?’
She couldn’t help smiling, closing her eyes as he held her tight and suddenly she wished they didn’t have to go to this party. She didn’t really feel in the mood anymore. It was nothing to do with the news she’d just heard, she was fine with that. Michael making a new start with a new family – once upon a time that would have been news that would have floored her but now, well, it could only be a good thing in the long run. But right now, India just wanted to be alone with Dominic. And maybe that was a knock-on reaction to the news, but she wasn’t going to waste time analysing it. She needed to be alone with Dominic to try and work out just what it was they had together because, despite everything she felt for him, she still wasn’t all that sure. Her feelings were all over the place and she needed to work out why. Before things went too far.
‘Come on, beautiful, ‘ Dominic sighed, still holding her hand as he stood up, pulling her up with him. ‘We’d better get to this party.’
‘Do we have to?’ India groaned, trailing behind him like some petulant child.
‘Honey, we’re the stars of the show. We don’t show up, not really gonna be much of a party, is it?’
‘I hope you said that with your tongue very firmly in your cheek,’ India smiled, checking her reflection in the mirror one last time before Dominic opened the door, held out his hand for her to take again, and led her out into the Las Vegas night, and a party they’d never forget…
***
Kenny leant back against the wall, swigging from a bottle of imported beer, killing time more than anything because he didn’t really intend to stay too long at this party. He wasn’t exactly in a party mood, and although it was the wrap party for his best friend’s film, he didn’t feel much like hanging around watching her acting like some love-sick puppy around Dominic MacDonald all night. No, he planned to stick around for a while, show his face, let India know he was here supporting her, then he was going to sneak away and check out some of his favourite Vegas haunts.
Taking another long swig of beer he noticed India arrive, hand-in-hand with Dominic. She was all smiles, and she looked amazing in a simple yet stunning outfit of skinny black jeans, skyscraper-heeled ankle boots and a white sleeveless off-one-shoulder top, her blond hair piled up on top of her head in that messy-yet-styled look that was practically her trademark. She looked like a beautiful rock chick – his beautiful rock chick. Or that’s what she should’ve been, anyway. If he’d been strong enough to fight for her almost twenty years ago.
He shook those thoughts from his head as he saw her run over to him, putting his beer down on the ledge behind him and opening his arms for her to run into, picking her up and swinging her round.
‘Hey, sexy! How’s the Queen of Rom Coms doing tonight then?’
She straightened her top as he put her down, leaning over to kiss him quickly on the lips. ‘I’m doing fine. You heard about Michael and Layla?’
‘The baby? Yeah, Reece told me. Is that…’ He looked at India as she started fiddling with her leather wrist cuffs. ‘Is that, good news?’
She looked at him, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. ‘Yeah. It’s good news. Come on, Kenny. If these past few weeks have taught me anything it’s