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The last thing she really felt like doing was going out to dinner, but she didn't see how she could refuse.
She had a quick shower, applied some make-up to hide just how tired she was and on impulse ran Zach a bath.
He arrived home an hour after her with only twenty minutes to spare before they had to leave.
'What a day.' He shrugged his coat off and tossed it over the bannister before taking the stairs two at a time to the bathroom. 'You ran me a bath?'
He frowned and then glanced at her, and she blushed.
Hmm. Maybe she shouldn't have done that. On reflection it had been rather a wifely gesture, but at the time she'd thought it might help relax him after a hard day.
'You don't have to have it,' she said quickly, stroking her hair behind her ear as she always did when she was nervous. 'I just thought you'd had an awful day and I—'
'Hush. Stop apologising.' He put a finger over her lips and gave her a lopsided smile. 'It was a really sweet thought. I just keep forgetting what a truly nice person you are. Give me ten minutes to shave and change and I'll meet you downstairs.'
He was as good as his word and by the time she'd packed a small bag for Phoebe he was ready.
'OK. I'll just get the wine from the fridge...' He went through to the kitchen and came back holding two bottles. 'You take these and I can carry Phoebe.'
Keely risked a glance at him and then wished she hadn't. He was wearing a black poloneck jumper that emphasised the breadth of his shoulders and a pair of trousers that clung lovingly to his hard thighs. As usual he looked so handsome he took her breath away and she turned away quickly, sure that what she felt must show in her eyes.
They arrived at Sean's just after seven and Keely was immediately absorbed into the noise and warmth of the Nicholson household.
'Come on in and make yourselves comfortable.' Ally had a baby cuddled against her shoulder and a toddler tugging at her leg. 'For goodness' sake, Katy, Mummy's going to trip over you—Sean, I need a hand!'
Sean quickly swept the toddler into his arms, casting a rueful smile at Zach.
'Sorry. It's utter chaos here as usual. They're all meant to be in bed but they wanted to stay up and see you.'
'Don't apologise—we've brought one of our own,' Zach reminded them dryly, shifting Phoebe more comfortably in his arms.
'Why don't you men settle the children while Keely and I make some drinks?' Ally suggested, handing the baby over to Sean. 'Come on, Keely. I'll show you around.'
After Zach's warning, Keely was nervous about what Ally was going to say to her but she dutifully followed her into the kitchen.
'So, Sean tells me you're living with Zach at the moment.' Ally tugged open a cupboard and removed a bottle of gin. 'What can I get you to drink? Gin and tonic? Wine?'
'Just the tonic, please,' Keely said with a smile. 'I'm driving us home.'
'Home.' Ally gave a sigh and her expression was dreamy. 'That's so romantic. I never thought I'd ever see Zach involved with anyone.'
Oh, help!
'We're not involved,' Keely said hastily, glancing nervously. towards the door and hoping that Zach wasn't within earshot. 'I've just moved in to help him out with his child-care crisis. Nothing more than that.'
'Oh.' For a brief moment Ally's face fell but then she smiled. 'All the same, living with each other—well, one thing is bound to lead to another eventually, isn't it?'
'No!' Keely stared at her in consternation. 'It isn't like that—really.'
'Oh, come on, Keely.' Ally reached for a lemon and cut off several slices, which she popped into the glasses. 'You're the envy of the entire female population of Cumbria. Don't try telling me you don't find Zach attractive.'
'Don't you ever give up, Ally?' Zach's mild reproof came from the doorway and Keely blushed scarlet.
How much had he heard? Oh, no, he was going to think they'd been gossiping about him. She took a large slug of her drink, thoroughly embarrassed.
Ally, on the other hand, didn't seem at all embarrassed. She smiled broadly and handed Zach a drink.
'Just worrying about your welfare.' She slipped her arm through his and they walked towards the living room. 'So how's Phoebe been, Zach?'
