Bare All

by L M Allen

  I watch the instructors demonstrate the basic back and forth salsa step, and then work their way around the room, to help out and show people how it looks and feels to dance with a professional.

  “Eva, is it?”

  “Yes, Hi.” I give him a smile and take his offered hand. I thought he was going to shake but he pulls sharply and spins me around, right into another number.

  “I’m Oz.” He smiles as the music cuts out and the next track begins. “I don’t want to give you back, but Scott might kill me if I don’t.” I frown, and he grins. I assume he means that he’d rather dance than teach very basic steps.

  So would I. And I can, because it’s not me that has to, so I’m grinning ear to ear when the other instructor holds out his hand.

  “Where did you learn to dance?” instructor number two asks as he bends me backwards, raising my knee high up his rib cage.

  “I had lessons as a kid.”

  “You must have had a lot of lessons.”

  “Every week for about ten years.” I laugh as he spins me around. God, I love to salsa!

  I’m too high to be tired when the lesson is over, giggling at nothing. “Thank you, guys. I think everyone had a great time.” I watch the staff pick up their belongings; every one of them is smiling.

  “Eva? Do you have a minute?”

  “Sure.” My facial muscles are beginning to ache with all the bloody grinning.

  “I’m trialling a chef. I wondered if you might give me a second opinion on the food?”

  “Of course. When were you thinking?”

  “Can you stay for lunch?” I hold up one finger, indicating he should give me a second, and pull out my phone with a new digitised diary. “Um, I can do...” I glance at the time. “One o’clock, for an hour or so?”

  “Great.” He lets out a breath. I can see from his eyes that his mind has just sprinted off, so I say my goodbyes and leave, for now anyway. I have a midwife appointment to get to.

  Chapter 13

  The summer holidays slipped away fast. Summer and Mae started primary school a few weeks ago, and I’m still not sure how to feel about it.

  I lie motionless in our bed and listen to the silence that has filled the house since Will took the girls over to Mary’s, and smile. He has been so attentive. So...caring. I shouldn’t really be surprised after he took such good care of me when I was hurt, but this is different. It’s... tender.

  The way he looks at me. The way he holds me. It’s like he’s finally accepted that he’s loved. And allowed himself to love without limits.

  I reach for my phone when it rings, and smile when his profile picture fills my screen, ‘lover man’ flashing over it.

  “Hey, baby.” I sound weird. I clear the sleep from my throat. “Hi.”

  “Hey. I was just checking if you’re awake.”

  “I am.”

  “Are you up for some fun today?”

  “With you?”

  “Of course, with me.”

  “Then yes. Bring on the fun.” I laugh at his laugh.

  “Great. I have Jack in the car. He’s dying to meet you, Wild Thing. And he’s madly in love with some poor woman he works with, so I don’t even have to worry about him trying to steal my girl.”

  “You’re a funny man, Hunter.”

  “I know. You love me.”

  “I do. I can’t wait to meet him. Should I apologise for the first time we kind of met?”

  Will laughs in a carefree way I’d like to hear more of. “I think he loved that. He was just reminding me about it actually.”

  “Was he? Well, I look forward to reminding you of what happened after you hung up.”

  “Christ,” Will chokes. “You’re going to kill me one day.” I chuckle.

  “How long will you be?”

  “We’re about fifteen minutes away.”

  “Then I’d better get dressed. See you soon.”

  “Bye, baby.”

  I hop in and out of the shower, and dress in denim shorts and a cotton camisole. The first button doesn’t do up anymore, so I need a long top.

  Today is September at its finest. Bright blue skies and gentle breezes that invite anyone who will listen to squeeze every last drop out of it in the garden with the barbecue.

  Honk! Honk! I dash to the window, and Will’s car is moving up the driveway as he waves to Tom in the orchard. I’m so glad Will kept Tom and Jan on when he bought Eden. I run down the stairs, eager to get to my man, and dash through the front door. He steps out of the car, looking like an advert for the sunglasses he’s sporting, in his jeans with his shirt sleeves rolled up. He honks again. He smiles widely when he sees me. I run towards him, and he steps aside to close the car door.

  He catches me easily and our mouths clash; he lifts me off my feet, kissing me until I can’t breathe.

  “Hi.” He smiles, and I take my own weight.

  “Hi. So...? Where is Jack?” Will turns and motions through the windshield to his passenger. All I can see is the reflection of the trees and the house in the glass. The car door opens and Jack steps out.

  I’m confused. Where is Jack? “Eva, this is Scott Jackson. My best mate since school. Jack, this is my Wild Thing, Eva Adams, soon-to-be Hunter.”

  “Scott?” I ask, and Will’s face flies back to mine.

  “Hey, Eva.” Scott’s voice is too quiet. Will’s attention lands back on him.

  “You’re Jack?” He nods, his face growing paler.

  “Sometimes. You’re Wild Thing.” I laugh.

  “Sometimes.” I glance at Will. His face is set hard. Scott chuckles weakly, dropping his head, his gaze on the gravel.

  I look at Will. He’s not even blinking. “So...what kind of fun were you thinking?” My attention jumps from Will, to Scott, and back again. What the hell just happened?

  “Let’s go inside. I could use a drink.” Will squeezes my hand tight as we walk towards the house.

  “So...you’re not from London then, Scott?”

  “No. Devon, originally.”

  Oh.

  “And...you went to the same dance school?” Will looks up sharply, scowling. “Scott is opening a salsa club. I’m sure you knew that. We’re helping him with the launch.” I give Will what I hope is a bright smile, and his jaw tightens.

  We enter the kitchen and Will pulls out a stool for me. I give him a really look. He nods sharply. I sit. I don’t know what’s wrong. He was fine on the phone.

  I glance down at my shorts. Maybe...? He wasn’t very keen on shorts for Mae’s birthday party. Maybe that’s the problem. I excuse myself to go change while Will wrenches open the fridge in search of drinks.

  Will flies through the bedroom door about fifteen seconds after me. He kisses me savagely and stalks back down the stairs, leaving me breathless and more confused than I was before.

  My fingertips trace my swollen lips, and I go to the walk-in wardrobe to choose something else to wear.

  When I emerge, I’m sheathed in a dusky blue, full-length but light-as-air dress I bought in Greece that reminds me of Will’s eyes. I brush my hair out again and tie it up in a messy bun, before making my way cautiously back downstairs.

  I can hear the strained tone of the conversation behind the closed kitchen door, but not the actual words, so I’m still none the wiser. I almost feel like I should knock before I enter. I open the door slowly, so that they know I’m coming in, and all conversation ceases.

  My eyes go directly to Will. His gaze trips over my body. He still doesn’t look happy.

  Why!

  “So, drinks?” I ask. Will hands me a glass. “Oh...thanks. Shall we sit in the garden?”

  It’s painful. The atmosphere is painful.

  “Can I just use the loo?” Scott asks Will.

  “Turn left and it’s the first door on your right,” Will tells Scott, pointing in the direction he should take.

  “Thanks.”

  We both watch him go, Will’s jaw tensing and releasing like he’s squ
eezing his back teeth together. “Will? What’s wrong? What happened? Did I say something wrong?”

  “No! Fuck no! Eva, baby, it’s not you...It’s...” He shakes his head and looks away.

  “It’s what!”

  “Jack is a honeytrap, Eva.”

  “He...” My eyes follow the direction Scott took. “But he...owns a sal... oh.” Scott owns a salsa club. Will owns a hotel. I shouldn’t be surprised. A fragment of a past conversation whispers in my ear. “Your best honeytrap...” Will’s cheeks redden, and he nods.

  “It’s not a coincidence he’s your client. And I need to know why.”

  “Will...” I take his face in my hands, bringing it back to mine. All the anger has gone. All I see now is...fear. “We’ll sort it. I promise you, you have nothing to worry about.”

  “I know. I... I know that, Eva.”

  “But?”

  “Can we talk about this later?” he says quietly as footsteps approach. I nod and take his hand. I bring it to my lips and kiss his fingers.

  “Sure.” I smile and tiptoe, lifting my lips to his. I need Will to feel secure. I need him not to question us. Not now, not ever. So I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him, until he’s returning the gesture like he means it. Like he might pick me up and throw me over his shoulder any second. I didn’t hear Scott, or Jack or whatever he’s bloody called, come back in. I glance over my shoulder when I can feel someone watching me.

  “Sorry!” I peck Will’s jaw. “I’m going to see Tom. Looked like he was picking some late berries to me.” I wink at Will on my way out, and he chuckles. At last! It makes me smile.

  “You’re still hungry?” Will asks, eyeing my second bowl of rapidly diminishing, freshly picked raspberries.

  “Kid has Summer’s appetite. I think we should warn the government of a possible food shortage.” I shrug and pluck another berry with my fingers as I sit on the worktop, my legs dangling. Will dips down and kisses my belly.

  “Your daddy will feed you as many raspberries as you can eat, baby girl,” he says, his mouth an inch from my belly.

  “What makes you think it’s a girl, Daddy?”

  “Just a hunch.” Will stands straight and kisses my raspberry lips.

  “You’re pregnant?” Scott gasps.

  “Yep. Due mid-Feb.” I briefly glance up between berries.

  “Congratulations.” I glance up again at Scott. There’s something about the way he said that.

  “What? You thought I was just fat? Cheers, Scott.” A laugh bursts free, despite my attempts to look offended at his horrified expression, and his eyes soften.

  “You still can’t really tell yet...fully clothed.” Will smooths his hands around my growing bump. “But without them, I can definitely see our baby growing in here.”

  “You sure it’s not raspberries?” We all look around as Tom enters, another bucketful of berries in his hand.

  “Oh my God. Tom. I bloody love you.” I hop down to take the bucket, and he waves me away and heaves it up on the worktop.

  “Pass me that cullender there, Evie, would you?” I reach up to the rack and pass the largest cullender we have to Tom, who fills it and takes the red gold to the sink to rinse it. “You not feeding my girl properly, Will?”

  “He’s feeding me plenty. This baby is Summer mark two.”

  “Your mum ate plums by the bucketful with you, Evie. Strawberries with your brother.”

  “Really? Damsons?” Tom frowns and Will laughs, a proper, head-thrown-back laugh, and Tom looks from one of us to the other. “What?” I mouth at Will, raising my palms to the ceiling.

  “I get the feeling that’s an inside joke, son,” Tom says to Scott as Will passes him a Tupperware container for the washed fruit. Tom starts again, tipping and washing.

  “No joke. Will’s eyes are exactly the same colour as damsons. Aren’t they?”

  “Can’t say I’ve noticed,” Tom says dryly.

  “Tom. You and I both know that’s not true. You probably know how many seconds he takes to walk from the front door to the car.”

  “2.3—at a guess.” His attention is stuck on the sink but he flicks me a smile and winks.

  “What about me?”

  “Women are different. Depends on their mood. Especially the pregnant ones.”

  “Okay...so today? How long did it take me to get to Will when he pulled up?”

  “1.7—or there abouts.” Huh. Once a soldier always a soldier. A trained observer in Tom’s case.

  I grin at Will’s wide eyes and raised brows and ask him, “So. Someone mentioned fun today? What are we doing?”

  “I was thinking we could go over to Escape.” I try to ignore my stomach flipping at the thought of going to Escape. I haven’t been there since...the blonde.

  “Can I have a quick word. Before you go?” I know that look. But I nod anyway. Best to get it out of the way. “I meant with Will, Evie.”

  “Oh! Phew, I’m off the hook, but you might be in trouble.” I laugh. “Go easy on him, Tom. I quite like him.”

  “Hey!” Will snags my waist. “You better more than bloody like me, baby.” I smirk and push up on tiptoes to whisper in his ear.

  “I love every inch of you. Some inches more than others.” Will snorts a laugh, his eyes dancing with wicked thoughts when I peck his lips lightly. “Come on, Scott, we’ll wait it out in the garden.”

  “Is he your dad?” Scott takes the seat opposite mine at the garden table and places his drink down.

  “Tom? No, he used to work with my dad. He’s been around my whole life.” I suppose he’s the closest thing I have to one though.

  “Where is he then, your dad?” Scott raises his glass for a drink.

  “He died a few years back.”

  “Oh! God, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault, was it?” Scott frowns at his knees.

  “So...what did he do for work?”

  “He was in the army.” It’s still too ingrained not to tell just anyone he’s SAS. Was. Was SAS.

  “And your mum?”

  “She lives about ten minutes from here.” I drop my eyes from Scott’s. I still haven’t returned my mum’s calls. I know I should. I know I should let it go. I’m trying.

  I take a deep breath and address the elephant in the room. “Will said...that he works with you?” Scott looks up sharply but his eyes soften almost instantly, and a big rush of air leaves his chest as he sags in his chair. He nods once.

  “At Cactus?” I’m fishing.

  “Yes.”

  “But you’re branching out to salsa?”

  “I didn’t know,” he says quietly. “I didn’t know you were Will’s...girlfriend.”

  “Fiancée, technically.” He breathes a laugh, his eyes downcast.

  “He’s a lucky man.”

  “I am.” We both look around to see Will striding towards us.

  “Hey. You’re still in one piece. Shall we go?” I’m suddenly feeling ants’ nest uncomfortable, but Will is focused on Scott. His eyes heated and intense.

  “The most beautiful, loving woman in the world has agreed to marry me. We have two beautiful daughters. So far.” His eyes fall briefly to my belly again. “And I’ll do anything to protect that. Go through anyone.”

  What the hell is going on here? Is this something to do with the ex-associate? Will hasn’t even mentioned him since Greece, and I really don’t want to ask.

  I reach out and touch his arm. His muscles are tensed. He glances down at me. Blinks. And then smiles. “Let’s go, baby. Let’s have some fun.” I flash him a tentative smile. “Eva?”

  “Huh?”

  “You need shoes, sweetheart.”

  “Oh! Just a sec! I’ll meet you in the car.” I’m about to jump up to go and collect them, but Will produces my sandals from behind his back and flashes a killer smile, before he sinks to his knees and picks up one foot.

  “Move over, Cinders.” I giggle as he fastens the second one securely. He h
olds out his hand and I place mine in his. He brings it to his lips and kisses my fingers before he stands and helps me up.

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll do anything, Eva.” His eyes are so intense I lose my breath. My heart stutters and I blink at him. “Come.”

  I thread my fingers through Will’s and we all walk over to the car, ready to go to Escape.

  When we arrive at the hotel just over half an hour later, it’s completely decked out in flowers. Wedding season, I muse to myself. I know our work calendar is chock-a-block with them. Several every weekend for the whole of September. We’ve even got some booked here at Escape.

  “Wow! It looks great.”

  “You like it?” I can’t quite place Will’s tone.

  “I love it!” As we get closer, I can see the miles and miles of fairy lights too. I bet it looks spectacular at night. I release my seat belt and jump out as soon as the car has stopped moving, eager to go see the wedding setup. Up close and personal.

  I wander inside, my attention pulled from one floral arrangement to the next, from one bunch of see-through balloons filled with metallic confetti to another, as I go. So I don’t notice Bells until I’m almost right in front of her. Her baby bump is now rounded and prominent.

  My feet freeze. And she bursts into tears. It’s instinctual. I couldn’t stop if I tried. I run and grab her in a fierce hug. As close as I can get, without squashing her baby. And she grabs onto me so tight, my dress scrunched up in her fingers, I’m pretty sure the material will rip. I don’t care.

  “Miss me?” I choke, and she wails harder, burying her face in my shoulder. I rub her back, tears streaking my cheeks, and hold her until she’s quiet. By the size of her, she could go into labour if she doesn’t calm down.

  “I’m s...so...sorry. I’m...” I can still feel her shaking in my arms.

  “Stop. Bells, stop. You need to relax. Breathe.”

  “Do you still hate me?” she asks after several tear-filled moments.

  “I’ve never hated you.” I take a step back and push her hair from her face. “I was hurt. I was disappointed. But I’ve never hated you. I thought you knew me better.”

  “I do! I do, Eva. I’m...” I pull her close again and take a deep breath. It’s time to let it go.