Page 80 of Teacakes & Tangos
Smiling, he got to his feet and swept me up and spun me around in his arms while I shrieked with delight.
And then, with everyone in the ballroom cheering and clapping, Rory pulled me against him and kissed me for a very long time, as a blissful feeling of desire and elation pulsed through my entire body...
Anika
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
When I arrived at work that morning, everyone was buzzing with the news that Clara had got engaged to her boyfriend Rory.
I went straight to find her and congratulate her, delighted – after she poured out her heart to me in the café the other day – that she and Rory had clearly managed to work through their problems.
That chat with Clara had helped clarify a lot of things for me, too – mainly about Xander and my feelings for him.
The upshot was I’d decided to put my reservations aside and give ‘us’ a chance.
I had nothing to lose. And a whole lot to gain.
And if it all ended in disaster again – a repeat of the Les fiasco – then at least I’d know that I’d been brave and risked everything for love.
As soon as I got home, I plucked up my courage and phoned Xander.
He seemed surprised but pleased to hear from me. Sounding a little cautious, he asked me what I was doing the following evening, and I told him (truthfully) that Mum and Dad’s old friend, Janet, was coming round to see Dad.
‘I’m going to cook them some dinner but I’ll probably leave them to chat and eat mine on a tray in front of the TV.’
‘Is this you trying to matchmake, then?’ he wanted to know.
I laughed. ‘Not really. But . . . well, if it happens, it happens . . .’
‘How about leaving them entirely alone together?’ he suggested. ‘Come over to mine and I’ll cook you spaghetti Bolognese.’
‘Spaghetti Bolognese? How fancy!’
‘I know. This brilliant chef I know gave me the recipe and I’ve been trying to perfect it with a few added ingredients of my own.’
‘No, you haven’t!’
‘Yes. I have. Sad geezer that I am, I’ve been experimenting with herbs.’
‘Wow. So you’re cooking from scratch instead of grabbing scones and cakes on your travels?’
‘Well, notallthe time. But yes, I’m becoming quite the Jamie Oliver.’
‘Wonders will never cease.’
‘So you’ll come over tomorrow night?’
‘Yes, I’d love to.’
‘Great. What about 7.30? I’ll text you my postcode and flat number.’
‘Lovely.’
‘Looking forward to it. You can be reunited with Luther.’
‘Who’s Luther?’ I asked, confused.
Was it someone we’d both worked with at the bank?
