Chapter Six #2
‘I know what you mean.’ But damn, making him a drink would have given her something to do.
Now she was left feeling jittery, worrying her attraction to him was obvious, though why she was making such a fuss, she wasn’t sure.
He must get this reaction from women all the time and it wasn’t like she even wanted anything to happen.
Liar.
Okay, she did, but only in an abstract sense. She’d shit a brick if he actually did come on to her. Heartthrob actor dates primary head teacher.
The ridiculousness of it snapped her out of her meltdown and when she sat on the other end of the sofa to him, she felt calm enough to smile. ‘About the play. Writing it is a big commitment. Are you sure you want to do it?’
His blue gaze was steady on hers. ‘I’m sure.’
It meant trusting him, but if it worked, it also meant a play with a difference. Something unique, that both the school and community could get behind. ‘And you’ll commit to having it ready in two weeks, when we need to start allocating parts and lines?’
‘I’ll commit to having a first draft ready. Enough that we can audition the parts and start to rehearse.’ When she didn’t immediately reply, he smiled. ‘I’ll sign a contract in blood, if you like.’
‘Your word will be enough.’ Mentally she crossed her fingers, hoping to God she wasn’t letting good looks and a winning smile trample all over her common sense. Because if he failed to deliver, they were in for a serving of A Christmas Carol with a side order of chaos and humble pie for dessert.
His expression sobered and he shifted on the sofa so his body faced hers. ‘I know the risk you’re taking, and I won’t let you down.’
‘Good. The fact that you’re writing the play, as well as helping to stage it, will make it more newsworthy, I’m sure.’
He nodded, his expression thoughtful. ‘I imagine so, but that’s not why I want to write it.
’ He laughed softly. ‘And no, I’m not going to pretend I’m doing it just so Sid gets his taste of traditional.
’ His eyes scanned the room before landing back on her.
‘I’ve spent the last six years playing the same part, and the last two months feeling bitter about being dropped from it.
I reckon it’s time I stopped moping and saw this enforced downtime as an opportunity to try different things. ’
‘I think you can safely say that writing a Christmas play for a school is different to playing a dishy doctor,’ she countered dryly.
‘Dishy, huh?’ Heat pricked her cheeks and she held her breath, praying he wouldn’t comment on the telltale blush. Then almost wished he had. ‘So, when are these dancing lessons?’
If she’d been blushing before, now she must be radiating furnace-like heat. ‘Please ignore my daughter. I’ll tell her the times didn’t work out. It’s really not important.’
He angled his head, a frown between his eyes. ‘It must be important to some degree, or you wouldn’t have asked her to go with you in the first place.’
She wanted to tell him enough, to stop prodding, because he was opening up memories she didn’t want to revisit in front of him.
But his expression was one of a confused puppy, who didn’t know what it had done wrong.
‘Look, it really is no big deal. It’s just that ever since Strictly came on the telly, I’ve fancied having a go at ballroom dancing.
Chris always promised he’d take me.’ She bit into her lip and turned her head away.
She’d come to terms with not having Chris around, with being a single mum.
What she’d never come to terms with was the unfulfilled dreams. The future they’d planned, which would never materialise.
A warm hand clasped hers, squeezing once before letting go. ‘Then let me do what he can’t.’
The gentle husk in his voice sent a tingle of awareness through her. ‘That’s kind of you, but seriously, it won’t work.’
The puppy look was back, only this time it was as if she’d stood on his tail. ‘Why not?’
She sighed and ran a hand down her face, wondering how on earth she’d got here.
Daniel Ramsey was sitting on her swanky, totally OTT purple sofa, offering to take her dancing.
And she’d turned him down. ‘If we forget the bit about you not living up here.’ She held up her hand when it looked like he was going to talk.
‘I know, you said you’ll visit around it, but that might not work with the school timetable.
If we forget about that though, we’re talking about you and me in a school hall, with a bunch of nosy people watching us, thinking all kinds of ridiculous thoughts, gossiping.
’ She shuddered. ‘I’m not sure either of us will be up for that. ’
He surprised her by laughing. ‘I dream of gossip as innocuous as that.’
‘But I don’t.’ Feeling too emotional for comfort, she drew in a breath. ‘Sorry, it must seem like I’m making a big deal out of something silly.’
Once again she felt those striking eyes fall on her.
‘It does a bit.’ He rubbed at the back of his neck, before giving her a wry smile.
‘Look, the way I see it, you’d be entertaining the out-of-work actor while he’s volunteering at the school.
Showing him what else the community, and the school, have to offer.
But the whole point was for you to enjoy it, so if you think you won’t .
. .’ He shrugged his impressive shoulders.
She studied his magnetically handsome face, his beautiful blue eyes and remembered Val’s words.
It’s okay to be attracted to another man.
If she was going to learn how to enjoy being in the company of a man again, learning with this particular man was about as safe as it got.
He wouldn’t be hanging around, he wouldn’t be interested in taking it any further.
‘I don’t want to put you out.’
‘You’d hardly be doing that. My alternative would be sitting alone in a hotel room.’ He sighed. ‘And I’m pretty lousy company right now.’
The sober expression, the hint of sadness in his tone.
For the first time she realised he might actually get something out of this, too.
‘Well, if we can easily work it round your schedule, let’s do it.
’ She thought of Bridget’s expression when she told her who she’d be bringing to the next lesson, and started to giggle.
‘Let’s give all those old dears the thrill of their life. ’
His face broke into a smile. ‘Got to say, I’m relieved. I don’t think your daughter would have spoken to me again if you’d said no.’
‘You don’t have to worry on that score. Maisie would find not talking very difficult.’
His answering grin hit her right in the solar plexus, knocking the wind out of her. ‘Well then.’ He stood slowly, unfurling his legs. ‘It’s probably time I left you in peace.’
She followed him out. Her hall had never felt so small as he stood by the door, looking down at her; a long, lean, sexy male. Somewhere in the pit of her stomach she felt a slow sizzle.
‘Thanks for dinner.’ His eyes skimmed over her face, as if trying to read her. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow for assembly.’
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. She had to swallow and try again. ‘Yes.’
But still he didn’t leave. For a few seconds they stood looking at each other, an undeniable something humming between them. Then he dipped his head and kissed her, very gently, on her cheek. ‘Bye, Anna.’
Heart racing, she shut the door behind him and rested against it. As she placed her hand to where his lips had touched, a trembling, giddy excitement shot through her. She was acting like a girl with a crush, but she didn’t care. She was going to learn to dance.
And she was going to enjoy every minute of it.