by Melissa Hill
‘Leave those; I’ll get them later,’ he told her. ‘Come and sit with us.’ He reached out and gently rubbed her arm. ‘There’s some chocolate ice cream in the freezer for all of us when we’re finished. I’m so sorry I was late.’
She finally turned around. ‘No, you two carry on. I think I’m going to call it a night, actually. I’m planning an early start tomorrow. Lots to catch up on.’
‘No, no, please stay. I was really looking forward to us having a nice evening, just the three of us,’ Ethan said, dropping his fork and taking both of her hands in his.
‘Ethan . . .’ Vanessa looked straight into his eyes, the bar stool putting them at the same eye level. ‘Not this time. Sorry.’ She pulled away and grabbed her bag off the counter. ‘Goodnight, Daisy,’ she said, rubbing the top of the little girl’s head and planting a kiss on her wavy locks.
‘Night,’ Daisy replied, her focus squarely on the food in front of her.
Ethan jumped up to see Vanessa out and she stayed ahead of him the whole time, taking her coat off the back of the couch and continuing into the hall without missing a beat. He managed to slip in front of her by the door. Holding her face in his hands, he looked at her intently. ‘I’m sorry. I know you’re annoyed with me and I also know I’ve been a little . . . off, lately. It’s not you, honestly. You’re wonderful. I love you and Daisy loves you too. We’re a team, the three of us, aren’t we?’
‘Dad, Finding Nemo is on soon! Can we watch it?’ came Daisy’s shout from the kitchen.
Vanessa closed her eyes for a couple of seconds and pressed her lips together.
‘Just a second, hon,’ Ethan called back, exasperated. He turned to Vanessa. ‘Look, I’ll phone you in the morning. Daisy’s going to Tanya’s house so let’s have lunch tomorrow, just the two of us. That’s if you’re not too busy.’
Vanessa hesitated, then nodded. ‘OK, that would be nice.’ She turned to go, and Ethan listened to her footsteps move away from him down the path, just as Daisy’s came towards him from the kitchen.
Chapter 14
At seven p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Terri was running around the bistro making last-minute preparations before everyone started arriving for Rachel and Gary’s engagement party. They’d closed the place after lunch today, as originally intended, Rachel suggesting they should use the night off as an opportunity to celebrate the big event.
For some reason, Terri felt that tonight seemed to mark a huge shift in her and Rachel’s shared history; it was a separation of paths, as such. It was inevitable, of course, and deep down Terri always knew that Rachel would be the first one to settle down, but the engagement had happened so suddenly that she felt rather . . . bereft.
With a guilty pang, she tried to shake these negative (or were they envious?) thoughts out of her mind. Rachel adored Gary and, given this engagement, the feeling had to be mutual, so really she should be happy for them.
And she had to hand it to him for surprising Rachel in New York like that, and paying out so much for that whopper of a ring. Her eyes had nearly popped out of her head when she’d seen the size of it, and she felt bad for having clearly misjudged Gary Knowles, whom up to now she’d taken for a tightwad. She could hardly be blamed for it, given that the guy took advantage by routinely eating (and drinking) in Stromboli and yet never putting a hand in his pocket.
In preparation for tonight, Terri had spent the morning in a corner of the kitchen (much to Justin’s chagrin), baking various breads and pastries to accompany the savoury canapés for Rachel’s New Year’s Eve-cum-engagement party.
Just then the chef walked through the swinging kitchen door, closely followed by an excited-looking Rachel.
‘You still here?’ he teased. ‘Everything’s organised and ready to go, so you girls should just go off and get ready and, more importantly, get out from under my feet.’
Justin had been with Terri and Rachel since the beginning and was practically a part of the furniture at Stromboli now. Besides his talent in the kitchen, they also appreciated Justin for his rapid-fire wit and good humour and for keeping the waiting staff smiling when the place was filled to capacity at weekends.
‘Terri!’ Rachel gasped and she could tell that her friend was already flustered. ‘Why are you still doing things in the kitchen?’
‘I know, I know – I’m going now.’ She wiped her hands and put some fresh blinis in the fridge. ‘Just wanted to make sure we have enough of everything.’
Rachel paused then, and by the look on her face Terri suspected she was about to go all emotional on them, as she was prone to do.
‘Look, just in case I don’t get to say it tonight,’ Rachel began, tears shining in her eyes, and Terri smiled, ‘thanks for helping me pull this party together so quickly. I know it was a lot to ask you to do, to give up your night off, and I want you to know how much I appreciate not just your efforts tonight, but the two of you as friends, and . . .’ She paused, waving her hand in the air as if this would somehow stop her from blubbing. ‘This is such a huge and truly unexpected step in my life, and thanks for helping me celebrate it.’
The sincerity in her voice merely made Terri feel worse for thinking badly of Gary before.
‘Have you been on the vino again?’ she joked, by now well used to Rachel’s emotional outpourings. Her friend was an unbelievable softie and had this unyielding ability to remain positive and see the good in everything; it was something that Terri envied. ‘You silly goose, of course we’re going to help you celebrate! It’s not as though we need much of an excuse, and anyway we’re thrilled for you – aren’t we, Justin?’
‘You deserve every happiness, Rachel, and this is going to be a great party.’
Rachel beamed. ‘Thanks, guys. And you’re right, I’d better make a move, otherwise I’ll be wearing my kitchen whites in all the photos. Back in ten?’
When she exited the kitchen Terri met Justin’s eye. ‘Nice dodge,’ she said sardonically.
He shrugged. ‘Unlike some people, I’m not going to lie and say I’m happy about it.’
‘What do you mean? She’s my friend; of course I’m happy for her.’ Although Justin largely shared her opinion of Gary, Terri was horrified to think that the chef might have picked up on any misgivings she felt about the engagement. Or worse, that Rachel might have done.
‘You’re happy that she’s marrying a Neanderthal? Some best friend you are.’
Despite herself, Terri had to smile. There had never been any love lost between Justin and Gary, who typically avoided each other like the plague. It was patently obvious that Gary was hugely uncomfortable about their chef’s sexuality and, devil that he was, Justin camped it up to the hilt whenever Gary was around.
She shrugged and leaned against the kitchen worktop. ‘What do you want me to say? If she’s happy that’s all that matters, isn’t it?’
‘Hmm, we’ll see,’ the chef replied. ‘But from where I’m standing, this supposed fairy-tale engagement has horror show written all over it.’
In the small back office of the bistro, where she’d left a change of clothes, Rachel picked up her handbag and rummaged inside it for the gorgeous, sparkling diamond that she still couldn’t believe was hers.
Since Gary had put it on her finger in New York she couldn’t stop looking at the ring, and hated not being able to wear it all the time. Although – not that she was complaining, or would ever say anything to Gary – it was actually a bit big and awkward for someone who worked with her hands so much. This was something she hadn’t thought about until she was back in the kitchen again and it had got caught up in some fresh cookie dough.
Still, this was a tiny inconvenience that Rachel could happily overlook for the privilege of owning such a perfect expression of love and devotion. Suddenly she put a hand to her forehead. Cookie dough! Thinking of cookies, she’d completely forgotten about that man Ethan Greene and her promise to send some to London for his little girl.
She had missed a call from him the day she and Gary got
home from New York, and what with jet lag and organising the party, she had completely forgotten to call him back. She made a mental note to remind Gary to phone him soon; her fiancé would no doubt want to thank him, and they could make arrangements to have the cookies sent over.
Rachel slipped out of her chef’s whites, jeans and T-shirt and into her red dress, the same one she had worn on Christmas Eve. After all, Gary hadn’t got to see it that night, so it seemed fitting that she should wear it now.
She pulled on her thigh-high stay-up stockings and fished her favourite dangly, faux antique earrings out of a pouch on the side of her handbag. Then, having applied just enough make-up to accent her almond-shaped eyes and redden her full lips, she finally smiled at herself in the mirror of the small adjoining bathroom. The lighting wasn’t great, but she knew she looked the part. How could she not? She had never been so happy.
‘Knock, knock . . .’ she heard Terri say from outside the office door.
‘Come in! I’m almost ready.’
‘I don’t know why you wouldn’t just go upstairs to my place to get changed and . . .’ Catching sight of her fully dressed, Terri’s words trailed off. She raised both hands to the sides of her face. ‘Wow, you look stunning! I love the dress.’ Then she paused and shook her head. ‘Look at the two of us and how far we’ve come since traipsing around as students barely able to make ends meet. We could hardly afford bus tickets back then, whereas now . . .’ She shook her head. ‘With this business and your wedding – suddenly I feel all grown-up.’
Rachel was taken aback. Unlike herself, who got emotional at the drop of a hat, it was very rare for her ultra-cynical friend to show her softer side. She hugged Terri, her eyes welling up again. ‘Oh stop with the fuzzy stuff; you’ll ruin my make-up!’
‘Nonsense. A trail of mascara from your eyes to your cleavage is considered sexy these days,’ Terri laughed, pulling back.
‘Are you OK?’ Rachel asked her softly.
‘I’m fine. Actually, I don’t know where that came from,’ she replied, sounding much more like herself again. ‘We both know you’re the sappy one in this friendship. And not only that but you’re also the one who should be teary, what with being the bride-to-be and all . . .’
Rachel smiled.
‘Ah, I don’t know,’ Terri continued. ‘I think maybe the engagement just caught me so completely unawares that I’m still trying to get my head around it.’
‘I know exactly what you mean.’ As it was, Rachel felt as though her brain was still trying to catch up with her heart, or vice versa. ‘Are you sure you’re happy to be my bridesmaid?’
Terri’s eyes widened. ‘Are you joking? Wild horses couldn’t stop me, although I don’t envy you having to find a dress to match this rug,’ she added wryly, indicating her riot of red hair. With Terri’s pale Irish skin, which contrasted widely with Rachel’s sallow complexion, the two women couldn’t have looked more different. ‘So what did Gary’s mum say? Was she thrilled?’
Rachel shrugged. ‘Well I wasn’t there when he told her, but I think she had pretty much the same reaction as everyone else, to be honest; she was a bit taken aback. Although Gary says she’s delighted too, of course, and the great thing is, she’s coming along tonight!’ She was especially thrilled about that, and so looking forward to meeting her future mother-in-law. Her mother-in-law, imagine!
‘Fantastic,’ Terri said. ‘Well, I suppose I’d better go home and get changed myself.’ She didn’t have far to go, ‘home’ being the little flat above the bistro. ‘We’re pretty much good to go outside, so you take your time getting ready and—’ She turned for the door, but then paused.
Rachel looked up. ‘What?’
Terri shook her head. ‘It’s nothing. I was just thinking what a brilliant way to end our year. And next year will be even better, what with the big day itself, won’t it?’
Rachel hesitated a little. She and Gary hadn’t actually set a date yet; in all honesty, they hadn’t really had a chance to discuss it since their return from New York. But yes, like Terri, she automatically presumed the wedding would be in the coming year. Personally, she hated long-drawn-out engagements – what was the point? And seeing as the proposal had more or less come out of the blue, she was certain Gary felt the same.
‘Should be, but lots to sort out yet.’
‘And plenty of celebrating to be done too!’ her friend said with a wink, before going back out to the restaurant.
‘You can say that again.’ Rachel grinned, straightening the fitted dress along her thighs.
Chapter 15
Ethan was sitting in the kitchen of the town house drinking a glass of wine, waiting for Vanessa to arrive. It was New Year’s Eve, and he had arranged for Daisy to spend the night at her friend Tanya’s house as he really felt he needed some alone time with Vanessa.
He was determined to make tonight special. He had champagne on ice and had spent the day preparing a lavish meal in the hope of showing her a good time, and making her realise just how committed he was to her.
But he couldn’t help wishing that things could be different, and that instead of him secretly fretting about how he was supposed to get the ring back, they could tonight be discussing their impending nuptials. He’d thought about coming straight out and telling Vanessa all about it in the hope of clearing up the tension that had formed between the two of them, but he just couldn’t do it.
That would be a million miles from what he’d intended, or how he’d always pictured it. He wanted the proposal to be something special, something romantic she would remember forever, rather than a long and confusing story about some stupid mix-up.
He’d thought a lot about how he could at least show her he was committed; prove to her that their relationship meant a lot more than a simple silver charm bracelet – that she meant much more than that.
Then a thought popped into his mind and his pulse quickened. Of course!
But Ethan didn’t have time to ponder his revelation further, as just then the doorbell rang and he got up to answer it.
Vanessa stood at the door looking exquisite. She always looked amazing but tonight she was dressed in a well-cut, black cocktail dress that fitted her slim frame to perfection. Her blonde hair was piled elegantly on top of her head and a simple pear-shaped diamond pendant adorned her throat. His future bride, he thought. If only she knew it.
‘Hello, darling. You look beautiful.’ Ethan wondered why he sounded so wooden, so stilted all of a sudden. Why the uneasy formality?
She smiled and stepped into the hallway. ‘Thank you.’ Placing a light kiss on his cheek as she passed, she moved into the living room, taking off her coat.
‘Why did you ring the doorbell? Did you forget your key?’ he asked, trying to make light of the situation.
She blushed a little. ‘I don’t know really.’ Again the formality. She looked around the room. ‘Where’s Daisy?’
‘She’s staying over with one of her friends. I thought it might be good to make tonight just about you and me.’
‘Oh, that’s nice.’ Vanessa smiled again, but it didn’t reach her eyes and Ethan felt his heart deflate. This is so awkward, he thought. It was as if all of their shared history had suddenly been erased and they were starting over from scratch.
‘Would you like a glass of wine?’ Ethan enquired.
‘Yes, if you’re having some.’
He moved to the kitchen and picked up the bottle of red that he had already opened. When he turned around, he noticed the tense expression on her face. It took him aback. He needed to change the mood here – and quickly.
‘Here you go.’ He handed her a glass and held out his own for a toast. But she didn’t wait, instead bringing the glass to her mouth and drinking deeply. ‘Er, cheers,’ he said lamely.
‘Oops! Sorry.’ Laughing a little, she belatedly clinked his.
Ethan perched on one of the high stools at the edge of the kitchen island. ‘Do you know, I heard that you should alw
ays try to end a year the way you started it.’
‘Is that so?’
‘Yes. And this time last year, you and I were very happy, remember?’
‘Ethan—’ Vanessa began, and there was a note of pleading in her voice.
‘No, just let me finish, please. I know there has been some tension between us lately, especially since New York, and, well . . . frankly, it wasn’t there before. I love you, Vanessa. Daisy loves you. I need you in my life and I want you to be happy.’
Vanessa lowered her gaze. Whether it was because of the emotion of the moment or the strain in the room, he didn’t know.
‘Ethan, I am happy. I just . . . You’re right, there is some tension, and I thought . . .’ she trailed off, shaking her head.
He got up off the stool and putting her wine glass aside, took both of her hands in his. ‘Regardless, none of that matters now. Well, it does, but . . .’ He shook his head, aware that he was babbling a little. ‘I wanted to talk to you about something, a serious subject.’
She brought her gaze up to meet his. ‘Serious?’
‘Yes,’ he said, swallowing hard. He hoped this idea would go over well; it was a temporary diversion of sorts, at least until he had the ring back.
‘What is it, Ethan?’ A strained smile played at the corners of her mouth and he wondered what she was thinking, what she was expecting him to say.
He cleared his throat. ‘Well, I was thinking that maybe we should take our relationship to the next level. Start acting more like a family.’ She smiled hopefully at him and he felt his heart begin to lighten. ‘Vanessa, I was thinking that maybe we should think about moving in together. I mean, you . . . move in with us . . .’
There was silence for a moment and his hands started to sweat. He couldn’t believe he was this nervous; after all, if everything had gone according to plan, they should already be engaged. In truth, he felt almost silly for worrying about her answer to this question. But what if she said no?