Page 53 of A Very Italian Wedding
Ben frowned into the darkness. ‘Some, or one?’
Rose didn’t say anything for a moment. ‘It was an ex-boyfriend. Sometimes, I’m not sure that my parents are that keen on me either. Then again, I think I’ve become more of a marriage guidance counsellor than a daughter.’ She paused. ‘Not that either of them listen to me.’
‘I guess no one likes having their mistakes pointed out,’ he said.
Rose coughed awkwardly. ‘Well, I’ve made a career out of doing exactly that, perhaps that explains where I’ve been going wrong.’
‘Have you done something wrong, though?’ Ben asked. ‘Or is it just everybody else?’ He grinned and hoped Rose could hear he was joking. ‘If it makes any difference, I like you,’ he added, wondering if revealing that had been a mistake. Then again, wasn’t it obvious from the way he’d kissed her in the car?
Rose fell silent. ‘Don’t you say that to all the girls?’
‘Not really,’ Ben murmured.
Her body relaxed against his. ‘Would you…I mean, would you put your arm around me please?’ She sounded tense.
‘Of course.’ He decided not to tease and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Rose was still shivering, so he tightened his grip. ‘You’re freezing.’ She tried to pull away. ‘Let me warm you.’
She didn’t move – but continued to tremble. ‘I don’t think the wine helped,’ she said as her teeth rattled more violently.
Ben wanted to wrap her in something, hated feeling so helpless. ‘Stand up,’ he said suddenly. ‘I’ve got an idea.’ Hepulled his mobile from his pocket and switched on the torch, illuminating the room.
Roses eyes widened. ‘I thought we were preserving batteries?’
‘We’ll save yours.’ What there was of it.
‘If only there was an app to create heat,’ she said wistfully.
‘There is, I suppose.’ He put on a random music track. ‘Do you like dancing?’ He stood and held out his hand.
‘Dancing?’ Rose looked horrified. ‘I thought you were going to try to pick the lock.’
Ben shook his head. ‘Can’t be done. We can however dance. The movement will help warm us up.’
Rose grimaced and, for a moment, he thought she was going to refuse. Then she shrugged. ‘You know I once suggested dancing to a client as a way of fixing their relationship.’ She took his hand and stood, as the track changed, skipping to ‘Dancing Queen’ by Abba.
Rose’s lips tightened as Ben led her to the empty space beside the table. A crease marred her forehead as he began to wriggle his body in time to the music, encouraging her to do the same. She didn’t – but she did watch, making him feel self-conscious.
‘What happened?’ he asked, shaking his hips, hoping Rose would either join in or laugh. She did neither, but there was something about her expression that made him wonder if she wanted to.
Rose’s lips pinched and the crease deepened. ‘She refused; said she’d feel too silly.’ She paused. ‘The relationship broke up a few weeks later. She wanted to change but wasn’t willing to step out of her comfort zone, so she lost someone she cared about.’ She winced. ‘I think there might be a lesson there for me. I get it – if I don’t want to be cold, I should dance.’
Ben grinned. ‘Dance or hug the dog – it’s up to you. I’ve no idea how long we’re going to be stuck down here.’ He didn’tmention the other option, the one that involved the sharing of body heat. Wasn’t sure he wanted to think about that himself – but his wretched brain wouldn’t let go of the idea.
Rose gave him an odd look, one that made him think she could read his mind – or perhaps she just had the same idea. It was too dark to tell if she was blushing, but Ben suspected he might be.
She wriggled her arms suddenly, shaking her head even as she shifted from foot to foot, her pretty dress shimmering around her thighs. ‘If this is all a devious plot to get me to make a fool out of myself, I guess it’s working.’ She rolled her eyes, then spun round in a small circle, her movements gaining traction even though it was obvious she was embarrassed.
Ben moved closer and spiralled his hands above his head, wobbling his torso. He was warmer now and hoped Rose was too. She giggled as she watched and he jiggled and writhed, delighted with the belly laugh she suddenly let out.
Then Rose slowly began to match his movements, twirling her arms around her head, spinning around – even as the track changed and ‘Pump up the Jam’ filled the cellar. ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this,’ she choked. ‘If my clients could see me now.’ Her feet faltered and Ben wondered if she was going to stop.
‘Perhaps they’d wonder if you’d made up a new set of rules?’ Ben suggested, wriggling his hips again, hoping she’d join in.
‘What kind?’ She was still moving and Ben wanted to grab her hand. To hold her.
‘The ones about living life to the fullest – leaving your doubts behind. The ones about having fun while you can, before it’s too late.’ He gave in to his urge to touch her, reached out and linked their fingers, then put his arm in the air so he could spin her.
Rose laughed. ‘Smooth.’
