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‘No, I gave a set to Justin, before you arrived. These are for you.’ She rose, planting her hands on the arms of his chair. He looked up at her steadily, obviously waiting for her to make the next move.
‘I thought the show was great tonight. Thank you.’ She met his gaze, staring him straight in the eye as she said it. Then she leaned in. ‘So was the sex. Really enjoyed it.’
‘Does that mean you’re coming back for coffee?’
Alex straightened. ‘Thanks, but no. I’ve got to go, and I asked your production assistant to make sure my car was waiting as soon as the programme ended.’ She turned, grabbed her coat and bag and walked away from him.
* * *
It was snowing again, the light flakes taking on the shape of the wind, outside his window. Leo had taken a shower and was sprawled on his bed, his laptop in front of him, looking at the photographs.
He could almost taste the day again. Hear the cheers as Hayley passed the finishing line. See Alex running up to Alice and hugging her, ready for them both to smile into the camera. And there were snapshots of what had happened after he’d left. Little Sam, lagging behind the rest, the winners of his race turning to egg him on towards the finishing line. Evie, picking the little guy up, his arms held aloft, in front of a crowd that had risen to its feet and were applauding him.
He rolled over onto his back, staring at the ceiling. Alex had given him these photographs because she knew they’d touch his heart and in the stubborn belief that there was something of value there.
But their kiss had told him all he needed to know. It would be so easy, so sweet, to lose himself in her arms. But then the guilt would kick in and tear it all apart.
He’d work it out. Somehow strike a balance, learn to love her as a friend, and that would be enough. He’d start tomorrow, because tonight he wanted to look at the photographs, one more time.
* * *
‘Hey. What are you doing on Saturday?’ As usual, Leo launched straight into what he was intending to say without bothering with any preliminaries.
‘Nothing very much. I was going to drive down to my parents’ and stay the night, ready for the climbing wall on Sunday.’ Almost twenty-four hours without having heard from Leo forced Alex to ask, ‘You are coming on Sunday, aren’t you?’
‘Wouldn’t miss it.’ He neglected the obvious, not mentioning that he could be called away at any time. ‘I’ve got a couple of tickets for a media do on Saturday evening; the radio station’s got a table. Will you come?’
‘I’m... What sort of do?’ Alex thought furiously for some kind of excuse. It sounded much more like the kind of function that Leo would go to, and Alex suspected that she’d be like a fish out of water.
‘It’s a dinner dance. A lot of the right people are going, and it’ll be good to get your name out there.’
‘Out where...?’
Leo chuckled. ‘Figure of speech. You get to meet people; they get to meet you. It’s a great opportunity.’
It was a great opportunity to make a complete and utter fool of herself. ‘I don’t know, Leo. I’d have to drive all the way down to Sussex afterwards.’
‘Not necessarily. It’s being held in South London, and I can come and pick you up and take you there. Then afterwards we’ll go to my place, down in Surrey, and grab a few hours’ sleep. We can get up early on Sunday and drive down to Sussex then.’
That would work... Alex shook her head. She couldn’t believe that she was even thinking about it.
‘It’ll be fun. Chance to dress up a bit...’
That was exactly what was bothering her. ‘Well, to be honest, I’m not sure I have anything suitable to wear. This do is black tie, is it?’
‘Yeah. Well, if that’s all that’s bothering you, then that’s perfect. We can go shopping...’
Oh, no. She could see it now, having to try about a million different dresses on while Leo waited outside the changing room. He’d probably talk her into something that she normally wouldn’t wear and then offer to pay for it, so she couldn’t change her mind later.
‘No, on second thoughts I can probably find something lurking at the back of my wardrobe.’
‘Great. Last year it was quite formal—most of the women wore long dresses. You can’t go wrong with black...’
‘I’ll bear it in mind. And... Well, thanks for the invitation. And I guess I’ll see you on Saturday.’ That was another five days, and Alex could say the words with only a minor murmur of panic.
‘Something lurking in the back of your wardrobe?’ Rhona looked up from her desk as Alex put her phone down. ‘Going somewhere nice?’
‘Leo’s asked me to a dinner dance on Saturday. He says it would be good to meet some people.’
