Page 106 of The Christmas Holiday
His mouth curved into a smile and he turned to face me, his eyes catching the light of the twinkling around us. ‘I’m not interested in every woman.’
‘Only some of them.’
He held my gaze for a moment, then gave me a quick eye-roll, the smile remaining. A sudden movement at the back of the room signalled a shuffling of chairs, a rustle of fabric and a combined turning of bodiesas the entrance music began and the doors to the ballroom were opened. Liv, holding on to Jeremy’s arm, entered the room and, for the first time in three years of doing this job, I cried at a wedding.
Liv didn’t mess up her vows, and the entire ceremony was absolutely beautiful. The food was elegant, delicious and plentiful. The band was excellent and a DJ had also been hired, so there wassomething for everyone throughout the evening. Everywhere I looked there were smiles and people enjoying themselves. I knew from experience that, despite the joy a wedding should bring, this wasn’t always the case and quite often, especially when it came to society weddings, there could occasionally be a certain amount of other, less generous feelings that were very thinly veiled. I was relievedto see that today was different. Liv had money, beauty and privilege and sometimes it was easy to tell that most things in life had gone her way. But unlike many I’d met, she realised and appreciated that privilege, and put it to good use.
There were several charities she was a big supporter of and, in between the adventures and the relaxation, we’d taken time out on their holiday to visitsome of the projects they were involved in, Liv and Sandy taking notes about any problems they were experiencing and putting the wheels in motion for those to be sorted the moment we’d returned to the car. In India, Liv had found out where the local orphanages were and enquired as to what they were in need of, and then ensured those items were delivered the next day. I’d seen her watch those so muchless fortunate than us they’d had to make their home on the street then glance at the enormous rock on her left hand, before looking back at their dusty, dark surroundings. Unlike many others we’d witnessed on our travels, she really saw everything, and didn’t just disregard it. She never forgot they were still people.
‘That looks like some very deep thinking going on there.’ Hunter appearedat my side, a crystal flute of champagne in each hand, one of which he held out to me.
‘Is that a good idea?’ I asked, taking it anyway. ‘I’ve already had one and a half this evening.’
‘How about if I promise to keep an eye on you?’
‘That’s exactly what I’m worried about.’
‘Damn,’ he said, taking the seat beside me and sipping from his own glass, ‘she’s seen straight through myplan.’
I gave him a look under my lashes, unable to hide the smile and held out my glass. He tapped his lightly against it and smiled back.
‘Are you having a nice time?’ I asked. ‘It seems like you know an awful lot of people.’ Hunter had been busy introducing me throughout the evening until I’d eventually begged off, my feet protesting at the four-and-a-half-inch heels I’d now had themin for hours, and gone to find the seat he now found me in.
‘Yeah. It’s been nice.’ He gave me a quick glance. ‘I admit I’ll be ready to get out of here once Liv and Sandeep leave, though.’
‘And disappoint those bridesmaids? You are a callous man, Hunter Scott.’
He gave me a don’t-be-a-smart-arse look. ‘I think the free-flowing champagne has something to do with their… attentions.’
I’d seen them at the fitting when there had been far less champagne and their eyes had still been firmly fixed on him. Being somewhat distracted myself once his shirt came off, I could only imagine that theirs were by that point out on stalks. Understandably.
‘Were you thinking about going yet, or had you planned to stay on a bit longer?’ He didn’t look at me as he said it.
‘No, I thinkI’m pretty much ready to go once I’ve said goodbye to them too.’
‘Fancy sharing a cab back to the hotel?’
‘I think that sounds like a very economical idea. I mean, I know they have money but I’m not prepared to rip them off.’ I gave him a slightly haughty look as I paraphrased his comment to me that first night.
‘Point taken. And deserved.’
Our attention was suddenly drawn to theMC who announced the bride and groom were now getting ready to leave. Hunter and I stood and waited as the two made their way through the large crowd of people, saying thank you and goodbye to them all. Eventually Liv spotted us and charged her way through to where we stood. She flung her arms around us both at the same time, which resulted in Hunter suddenly bending awkwardly and our heads almostmeeting behind Liv’s back as she hugged us to her.
‘I love you two!’ Liv said, finally releasing us. ‘You made our trip the best ever. I’m so glad you came. It was just like going with friends! I mean, I know we were friends already, Hunter, but you know what I mean. Thank you so much!’
‘You’re welcome, Liv. It was a pleasure.’ Hunter bent again and kissed her on the cheek.
‘Everythingshe said,’ Sandeep laughed as he fought his way through the other guests. He and Hunter had a manly embrace, and then he gave me a big hug. ‘Thanks, Mia. Liv felt so comfortable with you.’ He leant forward so only the four of us could hear. ‘She said she felt she could be herself with you, and that makes me very happy.’
‘I did. I did say that!’ Liv added, earnestly.
I hugged her whileSandeep released the glass of champagne she’d lifted from somewhere before it ended up down my back.
‘Thank you. I’m very glad you feel that way.’
‘When we get back from honeymoon, we should go for dinner!’
‘That would be lovely.’
