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She stared at him. ‘H-having a sandwich, I suppose. Why?’
He grinned. ‘Tina’s just called me. She’s just found a dress that she thinks is made for you.’
‘A dress?’ Her eyes widened. She’d completely forgotten about the Valentine’s Ball. In fact, since he’d kissed her, she’d pretty much forgotten about everything.
‘Don’t look so surprised.’ He looked at her keenly. ‘Are you changing your mind about coming with me?’
He had a way of looking at her—as though she were the only woman in the world—and her heart beat faster.
‘I’m still coming.’
‘Good.’ His voice was soft. ‘I’m going to make sure you have a night to remember.’
She looked into his eyes and swallowed, wondering what he had in mind. Were they still just friends, or had that kiss moved the boundaries of their friendship? And did she want it to?
Tina’s boutique was on the harbour front and Joel parked the car right outside.
‘The advantages of the middle of winter,’ he said with a laugh as he switched off the engine. ‘In the summer season you can’t even drive along this road, let alone park.’
Lucy tried to imagine the Cornish fishing village crammed with tourists, and failed. She wasn’t sure she’d like it crowded. She was growing to love the shriek of the seagulls and the wildness of the winter sea.
Tina came to the door and smiled at them. ‘I made coffee and I bought pasties from the Quay.’
Inside the tiny shop Lucy stopped and blinked. It was like Aladdin’s cave. Brightly coloured dresses and jewellery were artfully arranged to catch the eye and intrigue the casual shopper.
‘That’s so pretty,’ she murmured, fingering a pale pink top with delicate beading around the edges.
‘Isn’t it lovely?’ Tina beamed at her and then propelled her through to the back room. ‘But you don’t want that. I’ve found something spectacular for you.’
Just then Joel’s mobile rang and he rolled his eyes and finished his mouthful of pasty. ‘No peace for the wicked.’
He answered the phone and listened, his expression suddenly serious. ‘I’ll be there.’
‘Michael’s been called to an emergency and there are patients piling up so I need to go back.’ He picked up the rest of the pasty and dropped a kiss on Tina’s cheek. ‘Thanks for lunch. Can you be an angel and run Lucy back to the surgery when you’ve finished?’
Tina nodded and Joel turned to Lucy with an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry to abandon you.’
‘No problem.’
‘Make sure she doesn’t buy anything conservative’ was Joel’s parting shot as he sprinted out of the door to his car.
‘Nothing conservative, eh?’ Tina smiled at Lucy. ‘He’s going to love what I’ve chosen. Wait there.’
She emerged a few seconds later, carrying a long sheath of blue-green silk which she handed to Lucy. ‘Try it. With your colouring it will look stunning.’
Lucy looked at it doubtfully. ‘I’ve never worn anything that glamorous before.’
‘All the more reason to start now,’ Tina said firmly. ‘Changing room is behind you.’
Not wanting to argue, Lucy walked into the changing room and slid out of her uniform, staring at the dress on the hanger. Would she ever dare wear it?
Well, there was no harm in trying it on, she reassured herself, reaching for the dress and stepping into it.
‘Are you decent?’ Tina’s voice came from behind the curtain and Lucy gave a hollow laugh.
‘It’s impossible to be decent in this dress.’
Tina whipped back the curtain and frowned. ‘You’ve left your bra on.’
