Page 93 of Doc Defence

Frost grabbed hold of her hand again. “I think it’s nice they’re so in love.”

“I didn’t take you for a romantic.” Hel glanced up at him in surprise.

Frost hadn’t taken himself for a romantic either. With previous girlfriends, he enjoyed being with them. He had been physically attracted to them, but he never missed them.

The redhead he held hands with was different. He wanted to spend his whole time with her. When Hel moved out, it only brought home how much she was under his skin. He wasn’t sure how he was going to walk away from her and go back home. But contracts were signed, and he had to leave.

He pushed thoughts of leaving to the back of his mind. If all he had was today, he didn’t want to spend it worrying about the future.

Without thinking, he lifted her hand up to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, his voice low when he said, “I’m getting more romantic in my old age.” They held eye contact, and a flush rose up Hel’s cheeks.

“Me too.” Hel agreed, with a small smile quirking at the corner of her mouth. When she finally looked away from him, she grunted in disgust. “They’re still at it!”

She gestured to Clara and Taylor, who were oblivious to everyone around them. Hel wiggled her eyebrows at Frost, a twinkle in her eyes.

“Hey, Clara,” she called. “You might want to stop. Taylor’s wearing more lipstick than you are now.” She giggled delightedly when the only response she got from her friend was a hand raised, giving her the bird.

“Rude,” Hel exclaimed and tugged on Frost’s hand, so he walked with her over to the rest of the bridal party.

CHAPTER 32

HEL

HelstoodwithFrostnext to their table inside the marquee. It was set up away from the main house, near some gum trees. Not that you would guess you were in a tent in the bush, as it was so beautifully decorated with flowers and fairy lights.

When they had checked the seating plans at the door, Hel was secretly very pleased to see that her assigned seat was next to Frost for dinner. Even better, Sadie was on the top table with Clara, so the teasing and waggling eyebrows would stop for a few minutes.

“Frost, please stop trying to hold my chair out for me while balancing on one leg. It’s making me anxious that you’re going to fall down again.” Hel glared at Frost, even as a smile pulled on the corner of her lips.

“I told you, when I’m not drunk, I have excellent balance. I can stand on one leg all day, so quit complaining and sit down.” Frost glared back, but his tone of voice was light as he teased her.

“Fine,” Hel sighed and sat down in her seat, pretending to be annoyed but actually enjoying Frost’s attention.

He hadn’t let go of her hand since the photos, and as soon as they were both sat down, he took it again, squeezing it before he put their entwined fingers down on his thigh.

Hel flushed a little as they were sitting at the same table as all the other members of the pub quiz team, and a couple of them were openly staring at her and Frost.

When she caught Mai’s eyes, her friend pushed her pink glasses back up her nose and gave her a wink. Hel couldn’t stop the pleased smile from appearing on her face.

“Good evening, everyone,” Taylor announced over the microphone. “We’re going to get the speeches over with now so everyone can enjoy this beautiful evening my lovely wife organised.” He looked down at Clara affectionately, who reached up and snatched the microphone out of his hand.

“That is a total lie. I did no organising. Our amazing wedding planner, Monica, did it all. I literally turned up and put a frock on.” Clara handed the microphone back to Taylor as a ripple of laughter spread around the room.

Frost let go of Hel’s hand, much to her disappointment, but he then grabbed hold of her chair, pulled it until there was no space between them and put his arm around her shoulders. She sat stiffly for a moment before she relaxed into him.

She felt him sigh, and he murmured into her ear, “Much better.”

She snuggled into him, letting herself do exactly what she wanted now, even if it would make everything worse in the morning.

The speeches were beautiful, well Hel assumed they were, she barely heard a word as she was too aware of the man sitting next to her. The food was exquisite, and the conversation at their table flowed. Frost fitting in with her friends so well as he chatted and joked along with them.

When the music started, Hel felt a little sad she wouldn’t be able to dance with Frost because of his broken leg, so she sat cocooned in his warm embrace as the other doctors jumped up and dashed onto the dance floor.

When Frost got to his feet, Hel assumed he was going to the bathroom, but he held his hand out to her and said formally, “May I have the pleasure of this dance.”

“You can’t dance.” Hel shook her head, not taking his hand.

“I didn’t say I was going to dance well. I was planning on swaying on the spot and letting you dance around me.” Frost shook his hand at her, trying to make her take it.

---