Page 27 of New Year, New Guy
‘Can’t you do that? I need to help Polly.’
‘I’ll deal with her.’
‘Let Hunter take care of the candles.’ Johnny sounded irritated.
‘He can’t.’
‘Oh, sorry mate. I forgot.’ Johnny looked uncomfortable and he swept his gaze over them both before doing as she’d asked while she manoeuvred Polly to sit down.
‘Drink that.’ She shoved a large glass of water in her sister’s hand.
‘I don’t want to.’
‘What you want is irrelevant. This is all you’re getting. I’d make black coffee if we had electricity but I’m not Wonder Woman.’
‘I’m not so sure about that,’ Hunter quipped.
‘I suggest we bring blankets and pillows down and settle in the living room for the night. They might not be able to restore the electricity anytime soon and it’ll be warmer all together.’
‘I’mnotsleeping in a room withhim.’ Polly jabbed a finger at Hunter.
Where on earth had her mild-mannered sister gone? What did Johnny tell her that was so awful?
* * *
Hunter selected one of the candles from the table and stood up using every ounce of willpower to hold his hand steady. ‘I’ll leave y’all to it.’
‘You can’t,’ Laura pleaded.
‘I sure can.’
‘But—’
‘—But nothing. Give me some matches and a spare candle.’
‘No, mate.’ Johnny covered the box of matches with his hand. ‘I’m not letting you do this.’
‘For heaven’s sake, what’s wrong with you all?’ Polly scoffed. ‘He’s a grown man not a baby. Look at the size of him. Laura doesn’t have werewolves and vampires lurking in her guest bedroom.’
Those I could deal with, thought Hunter.
‘You don’t get it, Poll. Hunter can’t stand the dark or confined spaces and that’s all my fault.’
Hunter could feel his face redden.
‘He caught the brunt of things from the staff at that bloody place where our families dumped us because he refused to let them see he was scared like the rest of us.’ Johnny sunk down on the chair. ‘I lied to you earlier so you wouldn’t realise what a jerk I used to be and not want to marry me.’
‘Tell us the truth. All of it.’ Laura touched Johnny’s arm. ‘I don’t care what either of you have done but I can’t stand secrets. I had enough of that in my so-called marriage.’
Polly’s fierce gaze lingered on her fiancé. ‘Youcan forget marrying me on Saturday unless you’re going to treat me as an equal. I’m not a baby and I don’t need protecting.’
‘I didn’t mean . . . I—’
‘—I’ll tell them if you want.’ Hunter intervened. ‘Any chance of a stiff drink, Laura?’
‘There’s some brandy.’
‘Bring it on.’ His razor-sharp response made everyone laugh. ‘Preferably a double.’
