Chapter Fifteen
Clara
Clara glanced down to find her hand entwined with Sam’s, his larger fingers wrapped around hers on top of the duvet cover.
When had that happened? The warmth of his palm was like a soothing balm to her chilly fingers.
His grip was solid and comforting. She nuzzled into the pillow with a sigh.
Some lucky woman would one day get the benefit of this and so much more.
She was just stealing it while she could.
Careful not to disturb him, she shifted into a comfier position, taking in the sight of him in the faint morning light. Asleep, with his hair tousled against the pillow and slightly parted lips, he looked so peaceful, so natural.
After a few moments, he stirred, his eyes blinking open, and he stared at her, his astonishingly blue irises wide and bright. He let go of her hand before saying rather hoarsely, ‘Morning. And sorry. I’m not sure when I took hold of your hand.’
‘Morning,’ she whispered back, smiling. ‘It’s fine. Just part of the authentic fake-date experience.’
‘Ah, I see. I knew you’d have an explanation.’
‘Sleep well?’
‘On and off.’ He yawned, rolling onto his back. ‘I kept waking up and thinking I wouldn’t get back to sleep, but I must have done.’
‘Yeah. I’m always like that in strange beds. I usually don’t get used to them until the night before I leave a place.’
He chuckled. ‘Sounds about right.’ He flipped back the duvet and swung his legs out of bed, stretching his arms up.
Clara’s eyes drifted over his bare shoulders, lingering for a moment longer than she meant to. She hadn’t quite expected him to look… well, like that. His forearms had been one thing, but this was quite another. He was lean and muscular, and his back looked strong.
‘I hope you’re looking forward to meeting a lot of people today.’ Stooping down, he retrieved his shirt from the floor. He stood up to pull it on, and Clara got a brief view of a well-defined chest before the t-shirt eclipsed it.
‘Yeah. I am.’ She sat up.
‘We’ll go to Dom’s after breakfast. He’ll be busy with wedding prep, something we won’t stay long. That way we won’t have to do too much faking.’
‘I’ll just have to try not to laugh and give the game away.’
‘Well, if you start laughing, I’ll just tell him you’re a naturally funny person.’
‘Good plan.’ She watched as Sam left the room, barely resisting the urge to cuddle back into the warm duvet and bask in the heat he’d left. She should probably get up and get ready. And she could really do with a coffee before the shenanigans started.
Later that morning, Sam rolled the car up a short gravel drive, tyres crunching softly in the pale morning light.
Dominic and Astrid’s house came into view – a handsome sweep of blond sandstone glowing faintly gold against the fresh green blooming on the surrounding trees.
Daffodils bobbed along the borders, and the scent of damp grass drifted through the open window.
Dominic had warned Sam that things might be a bit chaotic, which apparently wasn’t unusual for him – from what Sam had said, Dominic thrived on chaos.
Clara didn’t mind; hopefully the briefness of the visit would mean less scrutiny regarding their relationship history. A thread of nerves wound through her chest.
‘Nice house.’ Clara took in the honeyed stone and the climbing wisteria just beginning to bud, trying to calm herself.
‘Yeah. Dominic’s done well for himself – made good money in business.’ Sam pulled the car up before the house.
As they got out, a man appeared in the doorway, grinning. He wasn’t quite as tall as Sam but was a commanding presence. His teeth were very white, and he was handsome in a distinguished kind of way.
‘Here goes.’ Sam winked at Clara.
She suddenly felt like she’d been thrust into a fire – her face was very warm. Crossing her fingers, she intoned inside her head, please don’t let me mess this up.
‘Sam, the man.’ Dominic stepped forward, embracing Sam in a solid man-hug. Clara held back, toying with her bag strap and adjusting the neckline of her loose white top.
‘So good to see you.’ Sam shifted back, grinning. ‘This is Clara, my… girlfriend.’ His voice shook slightly on the word, which wasn’t like him.
Clara stepped closer.
‘Indeed.’ Dominic gave her an appraising smile. ‘Sam always undersells situations and himself. I had no idea you’d be quite as beautiful as this.’ He took her hand and gave it a little squeeze. For a moment, Clara thought he might kiss it.
‘Thank you. And nice to meet you.’
‘The pleasure is all mine, I assure you.’ He cast Sam a highly impressed look.
‘Now, in you come and meet Astrid. Excuse the organised chaos. Astrid is in with the wedding planner, then we’re heading over to the hotel for the last-minute setup.
It’s causing merry hell, but it’ll all be worth it – or so I’m told. ’
Sam caught Clara’s eye, and they exchanged a look that made her want to burst out laughing. Probably to release the nerves.
The house was covered in trailing ivy and reminded Clara of something from a Jane Austen adaptation. Sam moved closer to her as they climbed the steps to the front door.
A woman with long blonde hair not much older than Clara herself bustled out of a room off the corridor and stopped dead when she saw Dominic and the others.
‘This is Sam and Clara.’ Dominic held out his hands in their direction.
‘Oh, hello. Forgive me, I had no idea you were here, and there’s just so much to do.’
‘We won’t keep you.’ Sam smiled and held out his hand. ‘We just wanted to meet you before the wedding.’
‘And it’s lovely to see you.’ Astrid shook his hand, then moved to Clara.
‘Hi.’ Clara had barely taken her hand when she let go again, looking around a little frantically. ‘Would you like us to help you with anything?’
‘Not at all,’ Dominic said. ‘You’re guests. Wouldn’t dream of putting you to work. Now, come on through to the kitchen and we’ll grab a brew before the two of you dash off.’
Astrid threw him a somewhat exasperated look. They were obviously wasting her valuable time because she looked hyper stressed.
‘Maybe this isn’t a good time,’ Clara suggested with a look at Astrid.
‘I’m sure we can spare a few minutes,’ Dominic said.
Astrid’s expression softened. ‘Of course, I didn’t mean to make you feel unwelcome.’
‘We just don’t want to get in the way if it’s not convenient.’ Sam caught Clara’s eye, and it amused her that he’d said almost exactly what she was about to say.
Dominic clapped Sam on the back. ‘I’ll make some tea. A few minutes won’t hurt, not when I haven’t seen this rascally face for far too long.’
‘How was your journey?’ Astrid pulled a huge smile, obviously feeling bad about how she’d greeted them, though Clara understood where she was coming from. Their visit was probably ill timed.
‘It was fine,’ Clara said. ‘Though it’s my first time here, so everything was new and intriguing to me.’
‘What drink will you have?’ Dominic asked.
‘A coffee for me, if you don’t mind.’ Clara tugged at her neckline.
‘Of course, and you, Sam?’
‘Same for me, please.’
Dominic grinned as they walked into the kitchen. ‘So, what is the story here?’ He raised an eyebrow at Clara. ‘What’s a pretty girl like you doing with a rogue like this?’
‘I think that’s a question for Astrid rather than Clara,’ Sam said. ‘Not that you’re not pretty.’ He smiled at Clara. ‘But there’s only one rogue here.’
‘Ah, so he says.’ Dominic winked at Clara. ‘But I bet he hasn’t told you the half of it.’
‘Oh, he has,’ Clara said, mirroring Dominic’s cheeky voice. ‘All the gory details. It’s that hidden wild side that makes him so…’ She flicked a chef’s kiss at Dominic.
Dominic threw his head back and laughed. ‘Brilliant.’ He looked at Sam, and his eyes glinted with mischief. ‘This one’s a keeper for sure.’
‘Sure.’ Sam stepped up behind Clara and put his hand on her shoulder. She had the feeling he was only just holding in a laugh.
‘Have you been together long?’ Astrid asked.
‘No,’ they both answered – too quickly.
Dominic stepped back almost comically. ‘Ok. No doubt there then.’
‘It’s early days,’ Sam said.
‘I see. So, is that code for you don’t want us prying?’
‘Maybe.’
‘Then I’ll do my best.’ He grinned at Clara. ‘And I was joking about him being a rogue. He’s a loveable little puppy really.’
‘Oh, I know.’ She laughed. ‘He’s adorable.’
Sam’s lips curled up, and he looked out the window. ‘Nice garden.’
Clara could barely hold in her laugh at the subject change, as Dominic and Astrid talked a little about their landscaping plans.
The kitchen felt more relaxed now despite the whirlwind of half-packed boxes and wedding paraphernalia strewn across every surface. Clara cupped her mug in both hands, the rich scent of coffee calming the remaining jitters.
Astrid leaned back against the counter, with a weary but genuine smile. ‘It really is lovely to meet you both. Sorry again for the madness. You’ve caught us in full pre-wedding mayhem mode.’
‘Wouldn’t be a proper wedding without it.’ Sam smiled. ‘Don’t worry about us. We’ll leave you to it.’
‘You’re not escaping that easily.’ Dominic fished a packet of biscuits off a pile of envelopes. ‘At least have one of these before you go. Hospitality and all that.’
Clara took one.
‘You’re a terrible influence,’ Sam said, picking one for himself.
‘And yet you still came all this way,’ Dominic shot back.
Clara watched the two men grin at each other – years of shared history sparking quietly in the space between them.
‘Well, it’s been lovely to meet you,’ Dominic said to Clara. ‘Don’t keep this old man up too late.’ He winked. ‘He needs to save some energy for the dancing tomorrow.’
‘Can’t make any promises.’ Clara took hold of Sam’s hand. ‘Not when he’s so irresistible.’
Dominic laughed again, then clapped Sam’s shoulder. ‘Definitely a keeper.’
‘I’m so glad you came. Thank you.’ Astrid surprised Clara with a quick hug.