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‘No.’ The cries went up from the group.
‘This is not meant to be a romantic situation.’
‘If anything, it’s meant to be unromantic. An unromantic joint stag and hen do.’
‘Exactly. We wouldn’t have agreed to come otherwise. I’m not one for romance,’ Zahida piped up, although Holly couldn’t help but notice how she looked at Spencer as she spoke.
‘I’m sorry.’ Evan straightened himself up, though their hands remained entwined. ‘There will be no romance at all. You have our word. Right?’
‘Absolutely.’ Holly’s lips twitched involuntarily. Why was it so difficult to look at him without wanting to smile so much? It was as if she had slipped into a Disney film. Though there was one way to rectify that. Releasing Evan’s hand, she stood up.
‘I am going to leave you guys to it. I want to fall asleep before Caroline puts her frog music on.’
‘Hey, it’s not that bad. And it’s whale music.’
‘It’s really not,’ Holly said, before hugging her friend goodnight, then moving and hugging Jamie and Fin. Only when she had said goodnight to everyone did she move towards the staircase.
‘Maybe I could walk you to your room?’ Evan asked.
‘That would be very nice.’
Ignoring the jokes behind her, Holly took Evan’s hand, and they made their way upstairs.
‘Are you sure you’re comfortable with this?’ Evan said as they stopped outside Holly’s bedroom door. ‘With everyone knowing, I mean.’
‘Surprisingly, I am. Are you?’
‘Absolutely.’
She knew another kiss was coming. And a good one. Her pulse raced, her breath grew shallower and shallower, like she wouldn’t be able to breathe properly until they were kissing again. Finally, he placed his lips against hers.
When they separated, Evan planted another small peck on her forehead.
‘Okay then, I shall leave you here and bid you good night.’
‘Good night then,’ she said, offering him one more quick kiss, before she slipped into her room, closing the door behind her.
32
After the excitement of the day, Holly had assumed that she would be awake all night. But as it happened, she had one of the best night’s sleep since Hope’s birth and when she rolled over and blinked her eyes open, a thin strip of sunlight was breaking through between the blinds. She stretched out a little, taking a moment to enjoy the soft sheets, when she became aware of the gentle tapping on her door. She twisted her head to the side, to where Caroline was still snoring away.
‘Holly?’ Evan’s voice was a soft whisper. ‘Are you awake?’
As Holly’s mind cleared of sleep, a flicker of anxiety gripped her. People didn’t generally wake one of their guests up when the entire house was still asleep unless there was a problem. Her throat dried. Of course. The kisses last night. He most likely wanted to speak to her in private to explain why it was best if it didn’t happen again. Apologise for his temporary insanity brought on by the idea of an impending wedding. The disappointment struck her firmly between the ribs and caught her by surprise. Had she really fallen for him that much in such a short space of time? No, she couldn’t have. Holly swallowed back the ache that was fixing in her ribs. She had expected this. A little earlier than planned, but she had still expected it. Ignoring the gnawing that continued to chew away at her, Holly kicked her feet over the edge of the bed and opened the door a crack.
‘Sorry, I didn’t wake you, did I?’
‘I don’t think so. I’m not sure,’ she answered honestly. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘It’s nice seeing you.’ He leaned in, going for a kiss, when Holly jumped back and covered her mouth.
‘I haven’t brushed my teeth. Major morning breath.’ The words came out muffled.
‘I don’t mind.’
‘Well, I do.’
After a disappointed pout, Evan dropped the idea and carried on talking.
