Page 94 of Doc Defence

“I’m a rubbish dancer.” Hel still didn’t stand, so Frost reached down and took hold of her arm, gently tugging on it. She didn’t try to resist, and the six-foot-three hockey player easily towed her to her feet despite only being balanced on one leg.

“I don’t care if you stand and sway next to me, but we’re going onto the dance floor.” He tugged on her arm again.

“Hang on a moment.” Hel leaned down and snatched up her wine glass, finishing the last of the delicious champagne in a single gulp. “Right, now I’m ready with some Aussie courage.”

“Isn’t it Dutch courage?” Frost queried.

“Not in this country, it isn’t!” Hel giggled, and Frost chuckled, shaking his head.

As soon as they got to the edge of the dance floor, Hel was accosted by Clara and Sadie, who pulled her out of Frost’s grasp and tried to tow her into the thick of the dancing. Hel resisted and looked back at Frost, who shooed her away with an indulgent grin plastered across his face.

“I’m going to be swaying here. Dance with your friends, and have fun.”

Hel stared at him before Clara’s tugging became so insistent she had no choice but to go with them.

“Don’t move too far,” she called, pointing her finger at Frost.

“I won’t,” he replied. “I can’t!” He shook his bad leg at her.

Hel lost track of time. She danced with Clara. She danced with Sadie, and she danced with the doctors on the pub quiz team. Gloria made her do the waltz around the marquee, with the older woman taking the role of the man and leading, they spun so many times that when they finished, Hel was dizzy.

“Hey, do you want to dance?” An American voice drawled from next to her. She dragged her gaze from Frost, who sat on a chair next to the dance floor.

“Oh. Umm. No. Ummm.” Hel blinked in bewilderment at the actor standing next to her, an actor who had the same level of fame as Taylor. “No, Matthew O’Connor. I’m, well—“

Suddenly, Taylor was there, and he put his arm around the blonde actor. “Matt. This is Hel. She’s Jake Forster’s date.” He pointed to the side of the dance floor, where Frost had stood up and was glowering at the actor.

“He looks familiar.” Matt tilted his head to examine Frost, even as he took a step back when he saw Frost was big and about to head their way.

“He should. He’s played in the NHL for over a decade,” Taylor supplied.

Realisation dawned on Matt’s face. “Is that Frost? Oh man, I love that guy.” And he was off, bounding across the floor to meet a now bewildered-looking Frost.

“Are you alright?” Taylor leaned down to ask Hel.

“I’m having a wonderful time,” she said truthfully.

It had been one of the best days she could remember having. Seeing her best friend marry the love of her life and spending the day with Frost was perfect.

“Now go and stop your mother from corrupting your wife.” Hel pointed across the dance floor, where Gloria was clearly trying to persuade Clara to get on the bar to dance.

“Oh, for goodness sake,” Taylor muttered and rushed off, waving to Hel as he went.

Hel turned her attention back to Frost and the actor, who were now talking animatedly. When Frost met her eyes, he leant into Matt, whose gaze flew to her, and then the actor leapt to his feet, giving Frost a high five and dashing off.

Hel shook her head in bewilderment at the speed of the actor’s departure, but all thoughts of it fell out of her mind when Frost gestured for her to go over.

He had taken his jacket off and rolled up his shirt sleeves so some of his tattoos were on display, making Hel bite her lip as the muscles of his forearm moved under the skin while he waved for her.

She sat down next to him, and he immediately grabbed hold of her chair and dragged it right next to his, like he had at dinner and put his arm around her shoulder. Hel leaned into him and grinned.

She traced one of his tattoos with the tip of her fingers. “What was this one for?”

Frost laughed, which rumbled through Hel as she was pressed against his side.

“Do you want the truth? Or the lie I made up to tell people.”

She tipped her head to the side as she pretended to think about the question. “I want both. Tell me the lie first.”

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