A Surprise Christmas Wedding - Phillipa Ashley Page 0,68
forms, or press send on an application, something stopped me. I was in limbo, unable to take a step.’
‘Maybe it’s better you didn’t do anything sudden. I’m definitely glad you didn’t emigrate.’
He returned his attention to Lottie. ‘Me too, and I’m glad you came to work at Firholme. I don’t think I’d be at the party tonight if you hadn’t encouraged me.’
‘Hassled you, more like?’
‘I needed a kick up the arse, to be honest.’
She laughed. ‘I hadn’t intended to do anything quite that drastic.’
‘You’ve helped me to see that my family matter and that I actually used to enjoy Christmas. All the little things that families do together, I might have rolled my eyes and thought they were a bit cheesy but it’s still a time for us to get together and have a laugh, and spend time in each other’s company: put a brake on all the other madness in our lives.’
‘That’s true. What happened to Steph focused all our minds, too.’
‘I understand. I realise I do actually enjoy opening the silly presents, Mum’s baking, Dad’s turkey dinner, Ben telling rude jokes at the dinner table. That stuff means more than I realised and while things can’t be the same, it’s time for me to embrace the new normal.’
This positive sign gave her an even warmer glow. ‘I’m happy you made a start.’
He smiled but seemed hesitant too. ‘I’ve been wondering, could this – us – be part of the new normal too?’
His words took her aback. She hadn’t been expecting anything so positive from him. ‘Yes, I think it could.’
He rested his hand on her cheek and moments later, they were kissing. Lottie gave her answer. She kissed him back. He drew her closer and the kiss deepened. She revelled in the warmth of his mouth, the security of his arms around her and the delicious thrill of desire.
‘If this is the new normal,’ she said when their lips parted, ‘I hope it carries on.’
‘Me too, but I don’t want things to go too fast. For you, I mean. I haven’t been the easiest of people to make friends with. I’m finding it hard to trust people again, even people I should trust. People like you, Lottie.’
Lottie did feel things were happening fast, but that didn’t matter. Jay had made a leap forward and she was happier than she’d been for many months. Steph was right about her and Jay: they were both ready to step into the brave new world and find love again.
‘Lottie!’
They sprang apart, Lottie’s heart thumping. Shayla had whipped the curtains back and disco lights and music spilled out from the ballroom.
‘Oh, I’m sorry. Ignore me.’
‘Too late for that,’ Jay muttered and Lottie stifled a giggle.
‘No, it’s fine. Jay and I were just getting some fresh air.’
‘Very fresh! It’s bloody freezing out here. Someone had seen you walk out and I came to see if you’d mind drawing the raffle.’
‘Oh, God. Is it that time already?’
‘Yes, I can find someone else, if you’re busy.’
‘No. No, I’m not.’
Jay stayed silent beside her and she hoped he would understand what she meant. Well, what else could she say? ‘I’m busy having the best kiss ever and finally getting to know Jay intimately so just this once, jog on, boss.’
‘If you’re sure.’ Shayla let Jay go in ahead and as Lottie passed by, she whispered: ‘Nice jacket.’
For the next ten minutes, Lottie had to set aside her magical moment with Jay and concentrate on MC-ing the raffle. She tried to find him in the crowd, but he didn’t even appear to be in the room, and he didn’t have any winning numbers. Steph also hadn’t won anything and Lottie knew her sister had bought several tickets. She wasn’t in the room either. Her skin prickled with unease. Come to think of it, Lottie hadn’t seen Steph since before she’d danced with Jay.
Chapter Twenty-One
Jay might have been walking on air when he left the ballroom to go to the washrooms. Shayla’s appearance had been frustrating to say the least, but it was only a blip. He was sure he could find Lottie later and they could take things from where they’d left off.
Since he’d stumbled upon that guy from the wedding party in Lottie’s cottage, he hadn’t been able to shake off the sense that she was hiding something – or at least that he was missing a vital aspect of her story. For now, he brushed that feeling aside and enjoyed the memory of their amazing kiss.