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“Well, you obviously don’t, because that’s not what I meant.” He shuffled back to lean against the velvet headboard. “Come on, lie in my arms… we can reminisce. Then we’ll get ready for the party.”
She stood up and crawled over the bed to his waiting arms. “I’m not sure about the party, Dylan. I don’t have anything appropriate to wear – I’ll feel self-conscious. It’s not like I have a walk-in wardrobe of pretty dresses at home, you know.”
His strong arms fell around her and she snuggled into his warm toned chest, feeling her tension melt away. He kissed her on the head. “That’s not a problem. You’re a similar size to Amy – I bet she’ll have the perfect dress for you, sweetheart. We’ll grab some dinner with Joseph, then we can get going. I won’t take no for an answer. Alright?”
Chapter Twelve
After dinner, Dylan drove Sarah and Joseph to Adam and Amy’s place, and parked in the sweeping driveway.
“So I assume the Ferrari belongs to Adam?” Sarah asked, unclicking her seatbelt.
Dylan yanked up the parking brake and grinned. “I think he hired it for Joseph to cruise around London in, right kiddo?”
Joseph smiled in the backseat. “Something like that. I haven’t had the chance yet, but… maybe tomorrow.”
They all climbed out. Sarah felt even more underdressed now that Dylan and Joseph were wearing their designer suits and expensive shirts. She was still dressed for work and she felt crumpled after the day she’d had. Fingers crossed Amy would have a suitable party gown for her. They gathered on the ostentatious doorstep and Dylan threw her a loving glance, making her smile coyly. Had it really only been last night that she’d come here with him and Natalia? And now that lovely Russian lady was lying stone-cold in a police mortuary. Sarah shivered.
Adam answered the door and delivered his trademark cocky grin, pulling Sarah out of her gloom. “Hey, you guys. Have there been more developments since you called?”
“No,” Dylan said, as they walked into the impressive hallway. “We haven’t heard anything else today.”
“We’re here for a party,” Joseph said. “We can’t let them stop us from celebrating your engagement.”
“I agree,” Dylan said. “Hey, where’s Amy? Sarah’s claiming she’s got nothing to wear. I was hoping she might help her out.”
Amy strode into the hallway, looking radiant. “Of course, Sarah. Everything seems to be under control for the party. Let’s go upstairs. I’ve got just the dress for you.”
Amy grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses from the kitchen, then she led Sarah by the hand up the ornate staircase and into the master bedroom, which did have a walk-in closet. It was heavy and austere in here, compared to the lightness of Dylan’s apartment. The furniture was dark oak, and the double-bed creaked ominously as Sarah sat down. The low-ceiling would normally be quite stifling, but Sarah’s tension quickly unravelled in the glow of Amy’s affectionate company.
Amy joined her on the bed, and Sarah felt as if they were schoolgirls at a sleepover. Amy poured a large glass of wine, then passed it to Sarah.
“Thanks,” Sarah said. “So, how are the wedding plans going?”
“Oh, Adam only proposed to me last week. It’s all been a blur – we had to return to London pretty quick after Dylan’s involvement with… you know.”
“Natalia.”
“Yeah. It must be really weird for you seeing him again after all these years.”
“Well, I certainly didn’t expect to get mixed up in all this when I got up for work yesterday morning.”
“The Quinlan brothers like to keep things exciting.”
Sarah chuckled. “That’s true.”
“Cheers,” Amy sa
id, holding her glass aloft.
“Cheers,” Sarah said. She sipped her wine and enjoyed the warmth of the alcohol soothing her body.
Amy rested her glass down on the nightstand, then she strode over and flung open the doors of the rosewood closet. It was crammed with expensive clothes.
“Wow, did you bring all those with you?” Sarah asked.
“Oh no. Adam called ahead and arranged for a personal shopper to fill it for me. He’s sweet like that. Honestly, it’s like another world. Takes a bit of getting used to, but… it’s nice.” She rummaged inside and pulled out a short sparkly dress. “I think this one would suit your colouring and figure. Why don’t you try it on? Then you can take a bath, and I’ll do your hair and make-up. How about it?”
“That sounds lovely, thank you.”
