Page 12 of The Wedding Cake Wish
‘I’ve been invited to a formal dinner and awards ceremony.Well, actually, our company – At Home With Holmes – is up for an award, and theinvitation includes a guest, so I wondered if...’
‘Yes?’ My heart starts beating faster.
‘I wondered if you’d like to be my “plus one”?’ He shrugscasually. ‘I mean, you don’t have to. I just thought if you weren’t doinganything...’
‘Oh. Well, of course I’d have to check my ridiculously crazyschedule.’
‘Of course you would.’ He nods seriously.
‘I’m joking, Hudson.’
‘Oh. Right.’ He gives me a bewildered look.
‘I think I can fit you in.’
‘You don’t know the date yet.’
‘It doesn’t matter. Hudson, if you need a “plus one”, I amshe.’
I’m trying to act casual but the fact that my blush hasprobably deepened to the shade of a ripe tomato possibly gives the game away.
‘Great!’ He sits back, folds his arms and studies me with asmile. Then he points at my muffin. ‘If you’re not going to eat that...?’
‘Here you go. Knock yourself out.’
‘Thanks.’ He swipes it, takes a bite and chews happily,looking around him. ‘Great place, this.’
I sit back with a contented smile, my heart doing a littlehappy dance. So not only are we working together on another case, but we mightpossibly be going out on something closely resembling a date! I mean, Hudsonprobably isn’t thinking of it in that way at all. I suppose he just doesn’twant to turn up at the event on his own, and I’m the obvious person to invitealong.
What exactlydefinesa date, anyway?
I look it up when I get home. Just out of curiosity.
Date: A social or romantic appointment or engagement.
I’m none the wiser, really. Then I check myself. Do Iwantthe night out to lead somewhere? What if something happens between us butthen it doesn’t work out? Investigating mysteries together would be prettyawkward after that.
My heart keeps saying I should throw caution to the wind,take a chance and tell Hudson how I feel.
But my head is getting in the way.
It’s saying that by far the safest option, if I want to keepHudson in my life, is to carry on being simply a friend...
CHAPTERFIVE
Fen’s in quite a state when she arrives at my flatlater.
‘You look all done in,’ I murmur. ‘Come in, come in.’
‘Thanks, Ruby. You’re a star.’
‘Sit down.’ I usher her into my little living room. ‘Tea?Coffee? Something stronger?’
She grins. ‘Tempting. Any vodka? Only joking. Tea would belovely.’ She plonks herself down on the sofa. ‘Phew! Talk about weddingjitters. This event is turning into a complete nightmare.’
‘We’ll find Rory for you, I promise.’ I hurry off to makethe tea, wishing I could swallow my words. I should never have promised Fenthat. Rory could be anywhere...
‘Do you take sugar?’ I offer her the cup and sugar bowl on atray.
