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He didn’t have a badge above his head saying single parent and widower. She didn’t have a badge above her head saying that she was only here on a temporary basis.
His overwhelming urge was to make this permanent. To make the move, have the conversation and put his heart on the line once more. To take a chance on trusting someone again.
Clara’s reflection smiled at him, then her face turned up towards his. ‘Are you okay?’
She must have seen something in his eyes. He dropped a kiss on her lips and didn’t hide the fact that he inhaled deeply, taking in what he now knew was her signature scent. The smell of summer flowers in the rain.
There was still something burning deep inside him. Doubt. Something he couldn’t put his finger on and he hated that. He knew how he felt. He knew what he wanted to do. But, for all that Clara didn’t seem to have any reason not to feel the same way, he still felt as if there was something he didn’t know. Something she hadn’t shared.
It was odd and had never been entirely obvious. Of course, he didn’t think there was a hidden relationship anywhere, or something traumatic in her past that she hadn’t shared. But there was just something—something else.
He stared down into those deep brown eyes. For right now, he could see nothing. All he could feel was the potential for this weekend. He pushed his doubts aside and smiled, putting his hand into hers.
‘Let’s go have some fun.’
* * *
The wedding was perfect in every way. They hurried down the stairs into the large, beautiful sunny room set out for the ceremony and slid into some seats next to people who were clearly friends of Joshua’s. He leaned forward and whispered to them, ‘Ben, Roma, this is Clara.’
Both smiled and stretched their hands to shake with Clara while she tried not to puzzle over the introduction. Clara. Clara who? His workmate? His girlfriend? His casual friend?
She didn’t get much of a chance to think about it. ‘Gorgeous dress,’ Roma whispered to her as the music started and the groom and his best man walked down the aisle, shaking hands with friends.
The ceremony was beautiful and the bride wore a lace-covered cream gown and carried a bunch of yellow flowers. Joshua had told her that these were two of his oldest friends—he’d trained with them, which meant that they must have known Abby. She couldn’t pretend that didn’t make her nervous. But didn’t the fact he’d brought her here in the first place to meet them mean something?
After the ceremony the guests mingled in the grounds next to the outside bar while the wedding party had their photographs taken. Everything seemed very informal. As Clara was standing at the bar, getting her glass of white wine topped up, she felt a nudge at her elbow. She was shocked when she turned around and found herself enveloped in a hug from the bride.
‘You must be Clara,’ she said as her veil brushed against Clara’s cheek. ‘I’m Alyssa. I’m so happy to meet you.’ She signalled to the bartender, who gave her a glass of champagne.
‘Nice to meet you too,’ said Clara quickly, a little stunned. She wasn’t too sure that Joshua had specified to the bride and groom who he was bringing with him. ‘Your dress is absolutely gorgeous.’
‘Thanks. So is yours. That colour really suits you. So, you’re working with Joshua and staying in Georgie’s flat?’
Clara barely had time to nod before Alyssa continued. ‘What do you think of Hannah? Isn’t she adorable?’
Clara started to relax a little. Maybe it was the second glass of wine. She answered completely truthfully. ‘Hannah is great. I love being around her.’
Alyssa tilted her head. ‘I love your accent.’
A voice started calling Alyssa’s name in the distance but she waved her hand. ‘Oh, they can wait. I want to know more about you. Can we catch up later after dinner? David and I both really want to get to know you.’
It was ridiculous but the hairs on Clara’s arms gave an uncomfortable prickle. Why was she nervous? Of course Joshua’s friends might be curious about her, but this seemed like a bit of a test—what if she didn’t pass?
‘You’re the bride.’ She smiled. ‘You’re the boss. I’d love to meet your husband too at some point. Joshua told me you all trained together.’
Alyssa nodded and gave a sad smile. ‘A long time ago. We’re all getting old now.’ She gestured across the garden. ‘It’s taken ten years for David and me to finally organise getting married.’ She looked back at her, and Clara could see it in her eyes. The unspoken words. The words about Abby.
She decided to address the elephant in the room. ‘You must have gone to Joshua and Abby’s wedding then?’
It was easier just to have it out there. She didn’t want Alyssa to feel awkward about mentioning someone who’d presumably been a friend.
Alyssa nodded and put her hand on Clara’s arm. ‘We’re so glad he’s brought you. I wasn’t sure that he’d bring anyone. I mean, he’s dated, but it’s never been serious. He’s always been so focused on Hannah that I wasn’t sure he would ever find room in his life for another person.’
Clara took a gulp of her wine. It wasn’t such a strange thing to say. But it still made her feel self-conscious. Alyssa finished her champagne and gave her a smile. ‘We’ll chat after dinner. I’ll bring David over to meet you.’
Clara gave her a smile of relief. ‘Can’t wait, and again, you look beautiful.’
Alyssa waved her hand and drifted off in a froth of cream lace as Clara let out a big breath. Joshua was crossing the grass towards her from where he’d been in a conversation with someone else. Alyssa met him on the way and he spun her around, laughing, before she whispered something in his ear while winking back at Clara.
But Joshua’s eyes stayed fixed on Clara. And as he walked towards her with a big grin on his face she felt as if she was the only woman there.
He slid his hands around her waist and bent to kiss her. If she had any doubts about what role she had here they all vanished in an instant. ‘Having fun yet?’ he whispered.
The nervous flicker in her stomach dissipated at his touch. ‘I’m with you,’ she said softly. ‘Of course I’m having fun.’
She started to relax a little. Joshua took her over and they sat in the garden with the couple who’d th
ey sat next to at the ceremony. Ben and Roma were old work colleagues of Joshua’s too. Ben was a radiographer and Roma a fellow doctor. They laughed and joked easily, telling her tales of work disasters. Several other guests came and joined them from time to time, all welcoming Clara warmly.
The weather was warm and when they were invited back inside for dinner the glass doors that led to the gardens were left open to allow the air to circulate. Dinner was served quickly and the food was delicious. They were seated at a table with some of the groom’s relatives, as well as some of Joshua’s friends. Chat was light, and by the time the evening reception was due to start Clara was beginning to wonder if this was turning into the perfect day.
As they watched the first dance Joshua’s arm was tightly around her waist. ‘Hey,’ he said huskily in her ear, ‘I’ve never asked you. Do you like to dance?’
‘Would you like to find out?’ She leaned back against him and he made a low noise.
His lips touched the back of her neck. ‘You have no idea.’
As the music started for another tune she took that as a yes and stepped out onto the dance floor, beckoning him with one finger.
One of his friends let out a wolf whistle as Joshua took his cue and followed her. He took her firmly in his arms and swept her around the floor, his footsteps sure and confident. She was surprised at just how good he was. ‘Hey, ballroom dancer,’ she joked. ‘Got any other secrets you want to share with me?’
‘What can I say? My sister told me as a teenager I had to find some kind of rhythm and dance. Girls like to dance. So I learned.’
Clara grinned. ‘Ah, so this was just some kind of technique to get girls?’
‘Absolutely.’ He nodded. Then he glanced over his shoulder in some kind of mock act. ‘Is it working?’
‘We’ll see,’ Clara teased as she kept spinning around him.
They danced until her feet hurt in her high shoes. She took them off and put on a pair of flip-flops that had been supplied for the women. Evening snacks appeared, cupcakes with Mr and Mrs on them, traditional wedding cake, rolls with bacon, rolls with sausage, alongside bowls filled with tomato sauce and brown sauce. Joshua started laughing. ‘This,’ he said, lifting up one of the rolls, ‘this is how Alyssa and David met. David came in late to halls one night. Alyssa had just made herself a bacon roll and ducked back to her room to grab her sauce. By the time she came back, David was eating it.’
