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“No, because they’ll be at the wedding.”
“Oh, of course, he’s the father of the bride.”
“I’ve booked Zelda into the kennels.”
“Aw. Look, I have an idea. What about if Finn and Mum take Zelda to Blenheim? My aunt and uncle run a vineyard. They’ve got a large house and a lot of land. They have three dogs and two kids and grandkids. Zelda will love it, and Finn will be in seventh heaven. Then we can have some time on our own.”
I smile at the thought of having her to myself. “Are you sure? I don’t expect that.”
She puts her arms around her knees. “You’re right—everyone needs to let their hair down once in a while. I haven’t had a holiday since the accident, and I’ve hardly done anything for myself. I love Finn with all my heart, and I’ve devoted the whole of the past year to his recovery. But maybe I’ve earned a few days off?” She holds out her hand, and I close mine around it. “We need to get to know one another,” she says.
“That’s true.”
“And to have some serious sex.”
“Also true.”
We both smile.
“We need time, don’t we?” she says. “To see whether there’s something worth exploring here.”
“Yeah. We gotta be sure.”
She studies me, then narrows her eyes. “You’re making fun of me.”
“A little bit.”
“What’s funny about that?”
“Nothing at all. If you need time to make sure you like me, I understand perfectly.”
She splashes me. “That’s not what I’m saying at all.”
“No, I get it. I’m an acquired taste.”
“Alex! You’re the one who needs time. You’re mega-rich and mega-gorgeous—you could have anyone you want.”
“Well, sure, I’ve got an Oscar-winning actress on speed dial…”
“Stop teasing me!”
“See, this is what I mean, I obviously drive you mad. I give you a week before you decide you want to strangle me.”
She narrows her eyes. “Juliette said I needed to get some alcohol in you to loosen you up. She said you were different when you were drunk.”
“What do you mean? I’m always witty and charming.”
She picks up her glass, finds it empty, and holds it out to me. I finish mine off, then pour us both another. A little splashes over the edge of her glass as she moves it, and she giggles.
“I’m tipsy,” she says.
“Glad to hear it.”
She has a mouthful, then rests her glass on her lips as she studies me. “I was convinced you thought I was crazy when we first met.”
“The jury’s still out on that.”
She giggles. Then she says, “I was kinda scared of you.”
