Chapter 6 #2
‘I’m here to fix a socket for Eleanor in her bedroom,’ he explained, sounding flustered.
‘I have a key and yesterday she told me to just come in. I assumed—’ He shut his eyes as his perfect lips mashed together.
‘I should never assume. I’m sorry, I didn’t get much sleep and it’s been a… fraught morning.’
He looked tired, there were bags under his eyes – not that it marred the beauty of his gorgeous face. What had kept him up all night? Clara’s eyes dropped to his ring finger, and she noticed there was a ridge where one had once sat.
Was he divorced, or did he take the ring off for work? There was no sensible way of asking, but she felt oddly disappointed. Which was mad because she was engaged herself; her own ring was sitting on her bedside table back in New York. Until yesterday she’d been happy and loved up. Hadn’t she?
‘It’s okay,’ she said gruffly as the dog managed to break free from Liam’s hold and practically climbed onto her lap in an attempt to get closer to the towel.
‘Sorry, I’m sure you won’t be surprised when I tell you Figgy’s got a thing for Egyptian cotton.
His tastes run more expensive than mine.
I often wonder if he’s a reincarnated textiles influencer.
’ Liam sighed, pulling the dog away, before gently guiding him down the corridor and putting him in a room, which Clara thought was the sitting room, before shutting the door.
‘I’ll let him out in a minute,’ he assured her as he returned. ‘I’ll, um, get out of your hair. Do you want me to help you up?’
She was still sitting in the same position, curled up, and she tugged the towel tighter at the front. ‘Nope, all good here,’ she muttered. She didn’t want him putting his hands on her – had no idea how her body might react.
His eyes shifted down to her feet and was it Clara’s imagination or was his voice a little gruff?
‘Okay, then why don’t I make us both a hot drink while you, um, get dressed?
’ His cheeks were flaming and even though he was clearly mortified, he kept shooting looks at her bare shoulders and arms, making her insides heat.
It was like he didn’t know where to look and his reaction was flattering and oddly endearing. Because it told her that – despite Liam’s incredible looks – this man wasn’t a player. He wasn’t going to try to seduce her, he was going to make her a cup of coffee instead.
‘Okay,’ Clara said, and she stayed where she was until he disappeared into the kitchen.
Then she got up and raced into her bedroom before pulling the door firmly behind her and leaning back.
She stood for a beat, listening to Figgy’s barks and the sound of the kettle, wondering why her heart was hammering and why for the first time in a long time, she felt attractive and sexy.
Even though she wasn’t wearing make-up, her hair was hanging wet around her cheeks and she was wearing nothing but a towel.
The phone suddenly beeped on the bedside table and Clara flinched before heading across the bedroom.
You’re mistaken. Abigail had something in her eye and I was helping her find it. When are you coming home? H
Clara read the message three times before shaking her head, noticing that her fiancé had signed off with just an ‘H’ – a sure sign that he wanted something.
The one letter told of intimacy and connection, it was a powerful reminder that they had a bond – Hudson often used it when he was in the wrong.
Had she imagined they were kissing? Clara’s forehead drew together as she tried to recall, her mind swirling with confusion.
Had she got it all wrong? She shook her head, irritated that once again she was doubting herself.
She knew exactly what she’d seen. Unsure of how to respond, she put the phone back on the table and went to get dressed as her stomach churned.
Liam was still in the kitchen when Clara found him. There was a mug of hot coffee sitting on the side – in the same Christmas tree mug that Eleanor had given her. He looked relieved when she arrived, perhaps because she was dressed?
‘Thanks,’ she said, taking a sip from the mug, feeling awkward suddenly. ‘Can I offer you anything to eat, some trifle perhaps? It’s very good,’ she blurted.
Did she seriously just offer him trifle? She flushed. ‘Although it’s probably not the right thing to have for breakfast.’
Liam’s body was probably a temple – she suspected he only ate egg whites and sprouted wheat bread, and it certainly looked like he worked out. If Hudson was here, he’d be horrified.
Liam nodded. ‘That sounds perfect, actually, I need some sugar.’ His lips curved, making her insides jump.
‘I’m not sure how you knew trifle was one of my favourite ways to start the day.
I’m sensing our festive marriage was meant to be,’ he teased, clearly fully recovered from his discomfort earlier.
Clara smiled back as she went to open the fridge. ‘Seriously?’ she asked because she didn’t know him well enough to know if he was laughing at her. She hoped he wasn’t.
He nodded soberly. ‘I never joke about trifle. Especially not if Eleanor made it.’
He watched as she scooped some into a bowl for him and then decided to have another small scoop for herself.
They ate in silence, until Figgy whined in the other room. ‘I’d better let him out.’ He gave her a quick once-over. ‘You’re wearing denim again.’ His mouth pinched as his eyes travelled to the tight red sweater she’d pulled on. It was pure wool and fluffy. He shook his head. ‘Oh boy.’ He sighed.
Clara laughed. ‘Is there a fabric your dog doesn’t like?’
Liam nodded. ‘Football shirts and anything scratchy. If you’ve got a Brillo-pad outfit in that denim bag of yours, then that will see him off.’
‘I’ll bear that in mind,’ Clara said, her grin widening. She put their bowls in the dishwasher. ‘I’ll see you next Tuesday for our first event?’
He gave her a long look. ‘I think we might be meeting up this afternoon – I’m sure Eleanor will explain all.
’ The edge of his mouth kicked up. ‘Have a good morning, and I’m sorry about earlier.
’ His eyes dipped to where the towel would have been and Clara felt her insides turn over as she watched Liam head out of the kitchen.
That wasn’t going to happen – it was the last thing she needed.
She was here to give Hudson time to admit what he’d done and realise that he’d made a huge mistake.
Here so that her fiancé understood exactly what life would be like without her in it.
She certainly wasn’t here to drool over a gorgeous electrician with a fabric-obsessed dog – even if he did make amazing coffee, eat trifle for breakfast and make her feel like every nerve ending in her body had suddenly come back to life…