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Ford’s hands grazed my shoulderblades, tracing along my spine to the base of the zip. Firm, sure hands closed around my waist as he did me up, standing close enough behind me that I could feel his heat against my back.
“I’ve gotta go downstairs. Do you–” He cleared his throat again, sliding one hand over my stomach and pulling me back into him. “Do you want to come with me, or stay up here? You don’t have to come to a wedding for people you don’t know.”
“I know you,” I managed, aching to lean back into his touch, and let him take all the fears that whirled around me, leaving me slightly lightheaded. Or maybe that was just his proximity.
“I got you a purse. I mean, the girl suggested it, and I agreed.” He pushed a glittery beaded affair into my hands. “Your key for this room is in there already. You don’t have to use it but...I want you to stay with me tonight.”
I swallowed, letting my hand flutter over his on my stomach where the hooligan reindeer whooped and tore about in circles. “I’ll see, okay?” I whispered, tilting my head back until I could see his face. “This is all new to me.”
He smiled, a true, free smile I suspected was rare in his world, whatever world that was. Because sure as Santa hat wearing alpacas, Ford Millham was not the lost man I thought he was when I found him taming his spitty alpaca in the middle of NYC.
“I know. Come down with me?” He proffered his elbow.
Feeling like the world turned on without me, I took it, curving my fingers around the muscle beneath his suit jacket.
Maybe tonight could be something different. Like starlight and fairy godmother type dream stuff.
Maybe I’d stay with him after all.
CHAPTER SEVEN
NISHA
The wedding was amazing. Their families, and the couple.
After hanging out while team bride and groom did photos, I loved the atmosphere the affair created. And I couldn't keep my eyes off Ford Millham.
The moment he let go of my hand after finding me a seat in one of the back rows, his shoulders took on a hard line that hadn’t been there before, his strides determined as he powered up the aisle.
But he slipped into the group of groomsmen chattering together easily enough, though I saw some differences between the man in his room versus the one I saw now. The muscle in his jaw flexed as he spoke to the groom, all of the wedding party looking so debonair.
I tugged my phone out of the beaded clutch he gave me, sending off a quick message to Denise, my fellow tour guide and neighbour to pick up the ham, the cherries and anything else we needed for Christmas breakfast tomorrow, and that I wouldn’t be back til late if at all.
My phone blew up with her messages, and I rolled my eyes, ignoring most of them, especially when I admitted my door didn’t lock anymore and was mostly stuck now. A good boot knocked it open and she could store everything in my fridge.
Then the music started and I welled up before anything happened. I sniffled, batting my eyelashes on the back of my hand so I didn't smear anything.
