Earth, eat me up, now. Chloe took the coffee for safekeeping. ‘Yes, Mum. It’s Vaughn. And he’s not my man. Very definitely not mine. That’s right, isn’t it, Vaughn?’
‘About that…’ Vaughn reached to her arm and tugged her a little closer. ‘Can we talk? Without an audience?’
‘Oh, no, you don’t.’ Mum put her hand on his shoulder. ‘Anything you’ve got to say, you can say in front of us. We’re her family. Hurt her again and you’ll have us to deal with.’
He twisted round and peered at everyone’s hands. ‘No bouquets? Good.’
‘Not yet. But there’s some in grabbing distance.’ Bridget reached out for a bunch of pink and purple freesias in a pot. ‘So, we’re waiting… get it out, lad.’
The redness on Chloe’s cheeks intensified. ‘Mum!’ she hissed. ‘Leave the poor man alone.’ Then she turned to Vaughn and drank in the sweet sexiness in his face, the dark steel eyes, the kissable mouth. Please don’t break my heart all over again. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘You really want me to say it in front of everyone?’
‘Yes, she does.’ It was Marnie. She had her camera poised.
‘For the love of—’ Chloe shook her head. She did not need witnesses to yet another humiliating heartbreak. ‘No. Actually, let’s go outside.’
But there was a fashion show between them and the front door. Crowds had accumulated to watch the new season’s dresses. Tinny music began to play. Luckily, all heads turned towards the models.
‘Over here, Chloe.’ Vaughn’s hand was in hers and, for a moment, she let it stay there, so warm and safe and firm. And she let the sparkle of hope in her chest fire into life. Because underneath it all, she did believe in love. Even if it was one-sided.
But if that was the case, then… why was he here?
He pulled her behind the booth and looked almost as if he was going to kiss her. She dropped his hand and pushed space between them. ‘Whoa, hang on, Vaughn. What’s going on? Why are you here? You’re supposed to be in the air right now on the way to Manchester.’
‘I had to come and see you. I couldn’t breathe properly. I can’t sleep. I can’t do anything without having you in my head. It’s driving me insane.’ He put both hands on her shoulders and drew her closer. ‘I shouldn’t have just gone off to Paris like I did. I’m sorry. I treated you badly, and you didn’t deserve that.’
‘No, I didn’t. You walked away from me after I’d laid my soul open to you. You hurt me. You didn’t even say a word. You did what every single man has ever done to me, Vaughn. You just walked away.’
‘I know. God, I am so sorry. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to tell you how confused I was because that wasn’t fair. But it was blowing my mind. Everything seemed to happen so quickly… the dance, then the kiss, then the sex, and I felt completely blindsided by it. By you. By what was developing between us. And then Jason came along and professed his undying love for you, and I had so many emotions rolling around inside me. I couldn’t handle the way I was feeling.’ He stroked a finger down her cheek. ‘And I really didn’t like the way I felt at the thought of you being with someone else. That spooked me.’
So he was just here to reconfirm what she already knew. She fought her wobbling lip and dredged a smile. ‘Look, it’s really busy here and I really, really need the business. So, if you’re done? I accept your apology. It’s okay. I understand you can’t love me. Not like you loved Bella. You had a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I’m glad you did. But I think I might have, too. And… well, that hurts me more than I expected it would. Look, I really do have to go.’
She blinked away the tears that were springing up in her eyes. She would not cry over him again. She had more self-respect than that. She turned, trying to shrug off his hands.
‘Chloe, wait.’ He hadn’t let go of her, but she’d twisted away from him. ‘You’re right. I can’t love you like I loved Bella—’
‘Yes. Okay? I understand. Now, please, let me go.’ She shook her head, unwilling to let him see the traitorous single tear spill down her cheek.
‘No, you don’t understand, not at all. Listen to me.’ He was laughing now. Laughing. It was a gentle rumble, delightful, playful and teasing. And sincere. Utterly, devastatingly, adorably sincere ricocheting through her heart like tiny sprinkles of stars. And it was killing her. ‘I don’t want to love you like I loved Bella. I want to love you the way I love you, Chloe.’
‘I have to go—I can’t be here. Wait.’ Had she heard right? ‘What did you say?’
He bit down on his lip. ‘I said that I love you. It’s been a bit of a shock; I’ll admit, but I do.’
‘You love me?’ Out of the corner of her eye, Chloe saw a huddle of smiling faces; her mum, Jenna, Evie, Anjini and the reporter. They looked like maidens from a historical romance film, clutching each other and swooning over the happy ever after. But this was Chloe’s life, and she was well aware of the scarcity of happy ever afters happening there.
But… what if? What if everything he was saying was true?
‘Yes. I bloody well do love you. And I’ll keep on saying it until you hear me properly. I love you, Chloe Cassidy, and I… well, I wondered’—his eyes widened as he grinned—‘if you still wanted to be with me, after everything?’
‘Want to be with you?’ Was he joking? A thrill of heat swam through her and her heart tugged towards him.
‘Yes.’
‘But you walked away from me, Vaughn.’
‘And I will never leave your side ever again, Chloe. In fact, would you…?’ He started to get down on one knee, but she pulled him up, her heart now pounding a zillion times faster.
‘Oh, no. No. No way. Don’t ever propose, don’t ever ask me to marry you. Don’t ever do that to me. I’m happy to arrange anyone else’s wedding, but I’m definitely not organising one for us. I know how that stuff ends, and it’s not pretty.’
‘So, I’ll just have to prove that I’m true to my word then, won’t I? I won’t leave you again, Chloe, ever. And I won’t propose if it really bothers you. But you’re happy with kissing?’ His mouth was close to hers now, and she felt the pull to him that she couldn’t resist. She craved the taste of him, the way he smelt, the heat of his arms.
God, she loved this man. ‘Aha. Kissing’s good.’
‘And strawberries?’
‘Oh, yes. Definitely strawberries.’
As he lowered his mouth to hers, he murmured, ‘Then we’ll have to stick with that, then.’ He winked at her, slow and sexy and full of promise for the future together. ‘For now.’
EPILOGUE
Wedding Fayre Joy For Portobello Wedding Planner
THERE WASN’T a dry eye in the house at Saturday’s Wedding Fayre, held at the Westgate Centre, Shepherd’s Bush, when Chloe Cassidy, head of Something Borrowed wedding planning services had a fairy tale ending fit for any blushing bride.
Four months ago, Cassidy was jilted at her own wedding; the news of her finance’s philandering brought to her by heroic best man, Vaughn Brooks. The day ended with more than tears when, bridezilla-style, Chloe tackled Brooks to the ground, resulting in a visit to the police station for her and to the hospital for treatment for him.
Fast forward four months and love has blossomed between the star-crossed pair, culminating in an almost-proposal that had every woman in the room melting and every groom wishing he’d thought of something as clever and meaningful. A proposal to a wedding planner at a wedding fayre. What could be more perfect?
But Cassidy, once bitten and now very shy of planning her own wedding, interrupted the proposal with a kiss and a polite refusal. ‘Of course, I love him and wouldn’t be without him. Ever again. I’m just too busy planning a perfect day for each one of my clients,’ she gushed after the almost-proposal.
Brooks just shrugged. ‘Whatever she wants, she can have. I love her with, or without, the ring to prove it.’
But there was a suspicious glint in her mother’s eye, and her s
ister was overheard saying, ‘No wedding? We’ll see about that. Leave it to me, Vaughn. I have a very good idea.’
So, watch this space! We’ll bring more news when we hear it. Were you there? Did you witness the almost-proposal? Have photos? Have insider information? If so, contact the news desk on [email protected]
THANKS FOR READING!
Thank you for picking up Something Borrowed, I hope you enjoyed your visit to the Cassidy’s crazy world. If you enjoyed Chloe and Vaughn’s story make sure you look out for more of my weddings books and the next of my new Something Borrowed series coming early 2017. I also write books for Tule publishing and Harlequin Mills and Boon Medical line.
To keep up with all my release and book news, please visit me at www.louisageorge.com and subscribe to my newsletter. I do giveaways and cover reveals and fun stuff for my VIP subscribers.
I love hearing from readers, so drop me a line, come and say hi! And please consider leaving a comment or review for Something Borrowed at your favourite online retailer or review site!
Thanks again for taking a chance on me and my books.
Happy reading!
Louisa x
Love weddings? How about Christmas weddings in paradise?
Here’s an excerpt from my Christmas novella, Baby, It’s Hot Outside
Daniel caught the scent of jasmine and honeysuckle and something else—something so familiar it had him swivelling round. He sucked in air.
Emma.
He wasn’t prepared for the jolt of heat that ricocheted through him at seeing her again after these last few empty years. She’d come to an abrupt halt, eyes guarded. Cool liquid blue pupils fixed on him. A taut jaw, a tight purse of those kissable lips. Her long auburn hair had been shoved on top of her head in a high messy ponytail, but tendrils drifted round her cheeks as she whipped her head from Daniel to Bas and back again. She was wearing a soft yellow dress with thin straps that showcased her body. Curves that had fitted into his hands perfectly. Long legs that he’d loved wrapped round him.
And immediately he was flung back to that first endless summer when everything had seemed possible. Even a hastily arranged wedding. Turned out being possible and being permanent were two different things.
He figured a hug was out of the question.
“Welcome back to Waiheke, Emma. Oh, and merry Christmas.” He tilted Bas’s empty bottle towards her in greeting, going for casual and knowing his face was anything but. So much for all that training at cop school.
Hers went from porcelain to beetroot in a nano-second. Clearly he still had an effect on her. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. “Danny. Hello.”
Danny. The only person in the world who called him that. Danny was someone else, someone in the murky past. “How was England?”
“Great. Thanks. But it’s good to be back home. Er…How’s things?”
Home? Since when was it home for Emma? She’d always had itchy feet. She was never going to stay on Waiheke, she’d made that clear the day she’d met him and he’d promised to chase that dream with her. But life had thrown other plans at him. “Ah, you know. I’m the same as ever.”
She looked at the beer bottle in his hand. “So I see. Some things never change, eh?”
“I guess not.”
But he had. And how. That was a battle he’d fought hard and won—no point locking horns with her over it. He was of the mind to let it all go. This was Bas’s pre-wedding party, after all, he didn’t want to spoil it.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw his friend disappear outside. Traitor. Daniel dragged his eyes from Emma and started towards the back door. “I should probably go and help Bas with the preparations.”
“Running out on me already? Really? You can’t even bear to be in the same room as me for one whole minute?” Her eyebrows rose. She bit her bottom lip. Wary. Tense. “There was me thinking I’d left the frostbite behind.”
“Still waiting for the thaw, Em.” And yet there was heat mixed with the ice he’d constructed around his chest. It had been his fault she’d left without him in the first place. He wasn’t angry with her, just angry with himself. With the fact that they hadn’t been strong enough to deal with the crap thrown in their path. And now they were stuck in a place neither wanted to be in; married and separated and living at the opposite ends of the world. “I’m needed out there, apparently. I have a job to do…and, to be honest, I just don’t know what the hell to say to you.”
He should probably start with I’m sorry. But he’d never been good at verbalising.
“You and me both.” Holding on to the back of a chair Emma took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she opened them the wariness had diminished a little. She even attempted a smile. Small, but there it was. “Look, I know we have a lot of stuff to go through but tonight we’re here for Bas and Megan—can we at least try to be civil?”
“Sure. I can do that.”
“Good. Thank you. It means a lot. She is my best friend—and he’s yours—and it’s a special time for them. I don’t want to ruin things.”
“Noted. I can do civil no problem. I’ll keep out of your way—that seems to work.” A whole weekend of celebrations to get through where he’d be regularly rubbing shoulders with his runaway wife. Great.
Then his eyes settled on hers and held for a moment. He remembered a time when he would stare into her gaze and feel as if he could see right down to her soul. Now all he could see was awkwardness. There was so much they needed to say, so much that needed working through, but he didn’t know where to start.
Worse, that tug was still there. That irresistible pull towards her. For a few years they’d circled each other, created a life of love and fun and laughter, everything had started and ended with them, with their dreams, their cozy world, their precious unbreakable bond. Now they didn’t even know how to begin.
He stayed exactly where he was. “So, in the interests of being civil, tell me where you’re staying? At your mum’s, I presume?”
Emma sighed, her gaze dipping to the floor and then anywhere but back at him. “I should have emailed and let you know…but…well… I didn’t think it would be a good idea to come back to our house, Danny. Given that we, well… given that we’re in this situation.” Her gaze settled on her hands and she rubbed her left ring finger. No wedding band, not even a thin white line. She’d ditched the ring a long time ago, then. There was that tug on his heart again. Damn it. She looked back at him. “I will come round. Maybe tomorrow? There are a few things of mine I need to get. If that’s okay with you? When would be a good time?”
For her to close that door on their relationship forever? Never. But things had irrevocably changed, he knew. “Any time—you still have your key? Just let yourself in. It’s your place too, you have a right to come and go as you please. I’m on an early shift, so won’t be home until after four.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
“How long are you staying for?”
This time when she wrapped her arms round her chest, he wasn’t sure if it was an unconscious barrier or a comfort hug. Either way she was telling him to keep his distance. “Two weeks. I have a job starting in the New Year in Brisbane.”
“This hemisphere? Getting closer.”
“Yeah, you take the jobs you can get these days. There’s nothing in Auckland, little out of the city. Nothing here on this tiny island. But Brisbane sounds great. Mum’s already booking flights, she’s stoked to have me only a couple of hours away. She said you’d been to see her a few times, did the lawns.” Emma’s shoulders relaxed a little and there was a small smile. “That was kind, Danny. And surprising.”
He took a step away. “You’re surprised that I can be kind?”
“No. No, don’t be silly. I didn’t mean that. Of course not, I know you can be kind.” Wearily she shook her head. “You were just so wrapped up in all that other stuff when I left, I wasn’t sure…how you’d be.”
“Two years is a long time, Emma. I’m fine.�
��
“Yes. Yes you are.” Her eyes grazed over his face, then down his chest. He wasn’t sure where else because he turned away, burning under her scrutiny. Damn it, when she looked at him like that all the familiar emotions washed through him. Heat. Longing. A need to hold her. Actually, a shocking need to touch her. But guilt was there too, fraying the edges, taking off the shine. Her voice brought him back, “I was wondering whether you’d moved on…? Are you seeing anyone, Danny?”
“It’s none of your business, seeing as we’ve barely communicated in two years. But for the record, no.”
“Oh. Okay.” Her eyebrows rose and her eyes darted to his left hand. And yes, he was still wearing his wedding ring. What of it?
He wanted to ask her about any significant others too, but wouldn’t. It wasn’t his place. He’d lost the right to know about her private life a long time ago.
Damn, this was worse than miserable. This was worse than he’d ever imagined, because in some dark part of his head he’d envisaged a huge blow-out argument, an opportunity to get all their issues out once and for all. A swift get-it-over-with end. But this? This was like a long slow painful death. And God forgive him, but all he could think was that Emma’s skin had missed the New Zealand sun, that her hair was longer and glossier than it used to be, that her eyes were tired. Beautiful, but tired.
He’d missed her at first. Damn, and how. But he’d learnt to live without her. Eventually.
“Okay, so I’m going out back to give Bas a hand. Good to see you again, Emma.”
“You too, Danny. And…er, merry Christmas right back.”
Yeah, right. With Emma here, under the same summer sun and clearly still deep under his skin, Daniel doubted there’d be anything merry about it at all.
Baby, It’s Hot Outside, Out Now!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Having tried a variety of careers in retail, marketing and nursing, Louisa is now thrilled that her dream job of writing romance means she gets to work in her pajamas.
Originally from England, Louisa now lives in New Zealand, with her husband, two sons and two male cats. Writing romance is her chance to covertly inject a hefty dose of pink into her testosterone-dominated household.
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