Page 67 of The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts

‘It’s a bit short,’ murmured Amber, tugging at the hem of the dress.

‘Who cares? You’ve got the legs for it,’ said Molly, putting on a pair of fake glasses. ‘Anyway, have some of Mike’s special punch and that’ll calm your nerves.’

‘Special punch?’ asked Josh, sensing that everyone’s eyes were on them. Or, more specifically, Amber.

‘I don’t know what’s in it,’ Molly told them, making a face. ‘It’s pretty disgusting, but after a couple of glasses you lose all feeling in your tongue so you don’t care!’

She giggled and dragged Amber away to a nearby table, where Belle was pouring out drinks from the punch bowl. Belle was also dressed in a black dress and witch’s hat, but for some reason, it didn’t have quite the same effect on him as Amber’s outfit did.

Josh watched them for a second before heading to the bar.

‘Pint,’ he croaked.

‘Wise choice,’ said Tom, who was sitting by the pillar. ‘That punch could strip paint off the walls. Although the wallpaper in here appears to be doing that all by itself.’

Josh nodded and immediately took a sip of the beer that Mike had just handed over. He turned around to lean his back against the bar and looked over at Amber. He wasn’t the only one, he realised. Nearly every red-blooded male in the room was looking at her, Molly and Belle.

Josh glanced over to Tom, who was also looking to where the women stood, nodding thoughtfully to himself.

‘Well, you know what they say, it’s always the quiet ones,’ said Tom, before draining half of his drink in one go.

‘What do you mean?’ asked Josh.

‘Sweet, quiet Amber turning up looking like a supermodel in that dress and living it up.’

Josh grunted. She certainly looked amazing and he couldn’t understand why it rattled him so much.

‘Chances are she won’t stay single for long in that outfit,’ carried on Tom. ‘Perhaps I should have asked her out after all.’

Josh was horrified. ‘No!’ he found himself blurting out.

Tom looked at him, amazed.

Josh sighed and cleared his throat. ‘Please don’t,’ he found himself pleading. ‘Just don’t.’

He didn’t know why it felt so necessary that Tom didn’t date Amber, but he just couldn’t bear the thought.

Tom raised his eyebrows at him in question before understanding crossed his face. ‘Ah. I get it.’ He nodded. ‘Hey, no worries. Anyway, I’m much too cynical and miserable for anyone as sweet as your lovely Amber to be interested in. There’s far too much anger and hate in my heart for my ex-wife to fit in someone as nice as Amber.’ He took another drink. ‘Thankfully the call isn’t mine to make as she’s far more interested in you instead.’

Josh gave a start. ‘How do you make that out?’

‘I know people,’ said Tom, with a shrug. ‘It’s my job. And trust me when I tell you that girl likes you.’

Josh turned to look once more at Amber when Tom spoke again.

‘A word of advice, friend. Blondes are always the worst heartbreakers. Trust me.’

Josh looked back as Tom twirled his wedding ring round and around on his finger. ‘Why do you wear that if your ex-wife caused you so much pain?’ he asked.

‘To remind me not to be as stupid as to fall for anyone ever again,’ said Tom, letting go of his finger to pick up his drink once more and drain his glass. It was obvious that he was getting blind drunk very quickly. From what Josh had heard, this was a daily occurrence where Tom was concerned.

Josh took a gulp of his beer as he digested what Tom had told him. He had tried so long to deny that there was any attraction between him and Amber. Besides, working together would be too hard if they let any chemistry between them get out of hand. It was probably best that he just bury his feelings and hope that she didn’t feel the same way about him.

But he couldn’t prevent his eyes straying over to where Amber was, whenever he had the chance.

27

A few hours later, Amber was having a lovely time at the party. A very happy, wonderful time with her new friends!