Page 55 of A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft

‘Must be part of the job description,’ Joel said. ‘Mine was terrifying too. Never took up any sports because of him.’

‘You don’t play rugby?’ I asked, instantly blushing because it was those broad shoulders of his which had made me think about the sport.

‘I often get told I look like a rugby player, but I was small and skinny back then and each time I was in a scrum, I feared for my life.’

Phil had been small and skinny at school too and shared that he’d broken his arm getting tackled in rugby, but that it gavehim a lifetime pass out of the game which he saw as a massive bonus. By the time he’d relayed that tale, the photographer was finished, the DJ put on the biggest song of the moment, and we were pulled onto the dance floor with the bridal party.

A couple of songs later, Avicii’s ‘Wake Me Up’ started playing and Phil announced his lift had arrived and he’d have to go. I looked around to catch Joel’s eye but he’d been dragged into some sort of bouncing scrum with Barney and two of the ushers and wasn’t looking my way. I left to walk Phil out to the car park.

‘I’ve had a great time today,’ Phil said. ‘Who knew being a last-minute plus one at a wedding could be so much fun?’

‘Next time I wangle an invite to a showbiz wedding, I’ll make sure I give you a shout.’

‘They’re a good bunch. I hope you’re going to return to that dance floor when I’m gone.’

They’d made me feel so welcome that I had been planning to, but the cold breeze blew my confidence away. ‘I’ll probably go to bed now as it’ll be strange being there on my own.’

‘You’re not on your own! You’ve got a room full of new friends and I bet they’ll miss you if you don’t return. Big girl pants again!’

‘Still got them on from before,’ I said, laughing. ‘This whole wedding thing has been one long doing something today that scares me.’

‘But you’ve kept facing that fear and you’ve had a great time so why walk away now?’

I glanced in the direction of the function room. I wasn’t tired yet and, if I went to bed now, I’d regret it. It had been a long time since I let my hair down so why end the evening prematurely?

‘Okay.’

‘Good. But I have another challenge for you. I know it’ll scare you, but I want you to dance with the best man and if that leads to a lot more than dancing, run with it.’

‘Phil! You think I should have a one-night stand?’ My cheeks flushed, but my body fizzed with delight at the thought of it.

‘It might be fun.’

‘But I’ve… well, I… It’s just that…’

‘There’s a first time for everything,’ he said, connecting the dots for me. ‘A bit of no-strings fun might do you the world of good. Look at what you’ve already achieved in just one week. You’ve come on holiday on your own and you’ve had an amazing time. You’ve accepted an invite to a wedding from people you don’t know. You’ve made some new friends including the one and only Cole Crawford. Last week, could you have imagined doing any of those things?’

‘No, but?—’

‘But you did them and you loved them. So why not add in another new experience?’

I held my hands up to my burning cheeks. ‘This is a surreal conversation to be having with my ex-husband.’

He laughed. ‘It is a bit. Let’s say goodnight and leave it there.’

We hugged each other and he kissed me on the cheek. ‘I’ve loved seeing the brave new Poppy this evening.’

He got into his Uber and waved as they pulled away and I watched the car disappear down the long driveway. I did feel brave today, but I wasn’t sure I was anywhere brave enough to do what Phil had suggested. A dance with Joel would be amazing and if that led to a drink together and maybe a kiss, that would be pretty special too. A zip of electricity raced through me as I imagined his hands in my hair, his lips on mine.

I returned to the hotel lobby, the warmth giving me a welcome hug. The sounds of laughter and music called to me but suddenly it all felt a little overwhelming. I’d socialised a lot today and, for someone who spent most of their days working alone with only the occasional one-sided conversation with next door’s dog, I was feeling a bit peopled-out. I needed a spot of me time torecharge my batteries and then I’d return to the party. If I went to my bedroom, there was a danger I’d get too comfortable and talk myself out of returning but if I went out onto the terrace Blaine had directed me to earlier, I’d still be able to hear the music and laughter and feel that party vibe without the pressure of socialising.

I grabbed my coat from my room and made my way to the terrace. As anticipated, it was empty but it didn’t mean it’d stay that way so I tucked myself away at a table behind some large screened-off potted plants so nobody would spot me if they did come out for some fresh air.

Sitting back, I gazed into the darkness thinking about the conversation I’d just had with Phil. I hadn’t said anything to him about being attracted to Joel, but it boded well that he’d picked it up from both of us. Could I do as he’d suggested? Tempting as it was, a one-night stand felt like a step too far for me. It wasn’t just several years since I’d slept with a man, it was also several since I’d kissed one. One step at a time. Could Ikiss a stranger at a wedding? When that stranger was Joel, it was a very appealing thought. And if that did lead to something else… Despite my voice of protest, that was also an appealing thought.

20

JOEL

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