AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Recently, George heard I was available,” Harry paused, swallowing hard. “He asked if I could backfill his job while he recovered. It was an honour to be asked, quite frankly. I’m so glad I came and had the opportunity to say so on stage tonight. Dr Larcombe is a well-loved man in this town.” He then added with a soft smile, “and I’m a lucky man for Dr Larcombe’s mentorship too, and his friendship.”
The MC appeared on the other side of Harry, nervously looking at his watch.
“Would you like to present the flowers and announce the amount now?” he whispered.
Harry laughed as if the MC had just told a funny joke before speaking into the microphone. “Now Stacey and I have a vote of thanks to make and an announcement about how much has been raised tonight.”
Harry smoothly thanked the important people in the room—apparently that’s what he’d written on the scrap of paper—and we presented a bunch of flowers to a representative from the district’s fire brigade committee, who hugged and kissed us both on the cheek. A cheer went up when Harry said the amount of raised funds.
But as we exited the stage, Harry’s eyes were haunted, as if he was despairing.
I shivered. I knew that look was more than just stage fright. For almost eight years, I’d stared into eyes like that every time I looked in the mirror, but in the last couple of years, that look had been replaced with one of hope.
His hand fidgeted with his pocket and I lunged for it, unable to resist taking his hand in mine and squeezing. I just wanted him to know he wasn’t alone and give him some strength. Harry blinked in shock, but recovered with a smirk.
“You want to hold my hand, Firebird?” he whispered, pulling me closer as we approached our table.
I dropped his hand, snorting. Harry laughed, pulling my chair out for me. As I lowered myself, he pushed my chair in, whispering in my ear.
“Thank you.”
Two simple words, full of gratitude, said rough and deep.
As Harry took his seat, our eyes met, and I knew that he knew why I’d held his hand. Our hands were so close on the table now. His pinky finger twitched a little closer to mine.
“Apple pie and trifle, madam. Sir.”
A waiter placed a bowl with trifle in front of me—my unfinished steak had been whisked away during our speech—and Harry got apple pie with ice-cream.
I gazed longingly at his dessert.
“See something you like, Nurse Turner?”
“Two things: not a nurse, and second, trifle is an abomination.”
“How can you say such a thing?” Harry fake-gasped, clutching his chest. “Trifle is one of the best desserts known to humanity.”
“The jelly.” I shuddered. “How it wobbles. It’s not right. It’snotgoing in my mouth.”
Harry’s eyes flicked to my lips; his eyes darkened. Someone interrupted our conversation to thank us for our speech. After they left, Harry pushed his bowl towards me.
“Would you like to put my pie in your mouth?”
We burst out laughing at his abysmal attempt at a flirty joke. I’d really missed his flirting.
“Hell yes.” I grabbed his bowl before he changed his mind.
Harry chuckled as he took my trifle.
I demolished the apple pie as more guests came over and introduced themselves to Harry.
Someone announced over the speakers that the dance floor was now open. Harry grinned as the song started. He stood, took my hand in his, his trifle ignored.
“Anastasia, will you please have this dance with me?” My breath hitched as his thumb slowly rubbed my knuckle.
“Yes,” I breathed.
We were the only dancers on the dance floor. He pulled me in, and my senses became overloaded by his smell, the heat of his body and his touch on my skin. Harry started to move in a basic waltz, and I closed my eyes, becoming aware of the singer.
