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‘This year you’re getting one,’ Merida said.
Barb had bought her a huge scarf and from Ava there were long silver earrings.
‘She has very good taste.’ Naomi smiled, privately wondering where on earth she’d ever wear them—a baby’s little fingers tangled up in one would have her earlobe off.
‘This is from Ethan and me,’ Merida said, and handed her a pale gold envelope. The paper was thick and heavy and as she took out the card inside Naomi frowned as she read it.
‘A spa day?’ She couldn’t keep the question from her voice, and for a moment she wondered if Merida had gone completely mad. Naomi was the last person to go to a spa day, especially one in New York.
God, the women would all be hovering around the hundred-pound mark!
‘Thank you,’ Naomi duly said. ‘I’ll look forward to that.’
‘You don’t have to wait.’ Merida smiled. ‘It’s for today.’
‘Today?’
‘Yes. You are not to do anything other than be thoroughly pampered...’
‘Merida, no...’ Oh, she hated saying it, but thanks to Abe she was becoming quite proficient in its use. ‘It’s a lovely idea and everything, but it’s Christmas tomorrow, I’ve got far too many things that I need to do today.’
‘Youhaveto go to the spa today because tonight,’ Merida said, and then went a little pink, ‘you’re going to the Devereux ball.’
‘No.’ Naomi immediately shook her head. ‘I can’t.’
‘You can. It’s Jobe’s gift to you.’
Naomi felt sick.
Oh, it might not sound a big deal to some, but Naomi so rarely went out.
And certainly not to black-tie balls.
And while it was the most wonderful thought and a gorgeous invitation, she simply could not face it. ‘Merida, I shan’t know anyone.’
‘Jobe’s thought of that.’ Ethan spoke then, and she caught a tiny look that flashed between him and Merida. ‘Abe’s going to take you.’
She would wake up soon, Naomi decided, because it was like being stuck in a nightmare.
Yes, any minute now Barb would come singing through her door.
Except everyone stood smiling at her.
She thought of Abe’s gritted jaw when Jobe had suggested it, and his utter dismissal of her when they had stopped by the office.
Then she thought of his embarrassment at having her on his arm on this most prominent night.
Oh, he fancied her, she knew that.
But it was a between-the-sheets thing, Naomi was sure.
And while he might be prepared to have sex with her on a private beach, he would not, Naomi was positive, want her by his side at such a high-profile event.
‘Merida, please put your magic wand away. I don’t want to be foisted on Abe and I do not want to go to the ball.’
‘Naomi...’ Merida saw her friend was struggling but she just made it worse. ‘Abe will be working the room all night. Khalid will be there and, I promise, Ethan has asked him to look out for you. He’s an utter gentleman. And Jobe has two of his favourite nurses going with their husbands...’
‘What about Abe, what does he have to say about this?’
