by Melissa Hill
“Well, aren’t you going to invite me in? Or do I have to stand out here all day?”
“Erm, come in then.” All the time trying to avert his eyes from what she was holding, Luke held back the door and allowed Tara in.
“Well!” she announced breezily. “You’ve certainly been busy!”
“Yes . . . erm, Tara, what is that?” Luke repeated, his voice quivering a little.
“Oh, this?” Tara held up the animal cage as if she’d forgotten all about it. “It’s a gerbil,” she told him nonchalantly.
“And what is it doing here?” Luke said, backing a little further away from her.
“Oh, silly me – I forgot to mention it. It’s a present,” she said, thrusting the cage at him.
Immediately Luke recoiled. “A present?”
“Yes, a housewarming present for you!”
Luke swallowed. “Erm, Tara, it’s very nice of you to think of me but –”
“I thought it was the best possible gift for you.”
“Ah – why?”
“Well, I know this is my territory and not yours, but surely you know the best way to overcome your fears is to face them head on?”
And by being here today, that was exactly what she herself was doing. Finally taking Liz’s advice, Tara was opening herself up to the possibility of a relationship, a friendship, whatever, with Luke Cunningham.
So, it might come to nothing but wasn’t it – as Liz had always insisted – wasn’t it worth taking the chance? It wasn’t as though she could use Glenn as an excuse any more. As of last week, he and Abby had announced they were thinking of moving in together when the baby was born, and as much as it would kill her to let him go, Tara knew she had no choice. Seventeen years on, she had to allow her son to get on with his own life, and now she, Tara, would get on with hers.
Starting today.
“Tara, I appreciate the gesture but –”
“Just let me help, OK?”
“Help with what? I’m already overrun with bloody mice. I don’t need another rodent to add to my collection.”
“I told you – it’s not a mouse – it’s a gerbil,” she repeated, again thrusting the cage at him.
Then, as Luke tentatively put his hand out to take it from her, their fingers touched briefly and an unmistakeable spark of electricity passed between them.
For a long moment, the two of them stayed like that, eyes locked together, while between them in its cage, the gerbil munched innocently on a piece of lettuce.
“Tara,” Luke said eventually, “did it ever cross your mind that I might not want to make friends with rodents? That I’d much rather make friends with a more agreeable and less scary species?”
“Like what?” she said, her eyes still locked on his.
“Like you,” he said, moving forward, and Tara swallowed . “I think the likes of you qualifies as a species all of your own. Genus femalus obstinatus I think it’s called.”
“Me? Obstinate? Never.”
“No, never in a million years,” Luke said, gingerly taking the gerbil cage and setting it on the hallway table. “And don’t try and play the innocent with me. Liz has told me enough about you, and I’ve learnt enough myself to know exactly what I’m getting into.”
“Then she’s probably also told you I’ve got a lot of baggage,” Tara said, amazed that the two of them were being so frank so quickly. It felt strange, exposing herself like this, but at the same time, it felt quite . . . nice.
The first flush of attraction, the promise of more to come – Tara hadn’t felt something like that in a very long time. And it was only then, standing there in front of Luke – a man she sensed wanted something to progress between them as much as she did – that she realised she missed it.
“Baggage?” Luke smiled and drew her close. Standing there in the circle of his arms, her body inches from that incredibly broad chest, his handsome face smiling down at her, Tara felt safe. She felt safe with Luke, and for the first time in ages, she gave herself up to the fact that what happened next was something she couldn’t, or didn’t want to, control. But she was pretty sure she knew what it was, in the same way that she was just as sure she wanted it to happen too.
“Yes, baggage,” she repeated.
Luke’s mouth was now only inches from her own.
“Well, knowing you,” he went on, giving her a lopsided grin, “it’ll be environmentally friendly and biodegradable baggage, so I’m sure we won’t have to deal with it for long.”
Then, he lowered his head and kissed her softly on the lips.
THE END
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Not What You Think
Melissa Hill
When the going gets tough, you find out who your friends really are . . .
Laura Fanning has talent to burn, a brand-new jewellery design company and a wonderful husband. Nicola Peters has independence, a job she loves and her own home. Helen Jackson has a killer wardrobe, a thriving career and a lively and engaging daughter.
But all is not as it seems. Laura’s struggling to live up to her parents’ impossible expectations, Nicola is coping with a life-changing event, Helen’s worried that her maternal instinct has gone AWOL – and trying to cope with their problems alone is driving the three friends apart just when they need each other most.
Then into the mix comes Chloe Fallon. She’s marrying gorgeous Dan Hunt and planning the wedding of the year, but little does she realise how much chaos her wedding preparations are about to cause . . .
‘A warm and engaging read – perfect for the beach!’ Colette Caddle
‘Deserves a space in your suitcase’ Irish Independent
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Never Say Never
Melissa Hill
Sometimes hopes and dreams don’t go according to plan – sometimes, real life gets in the way.
On a mild May evening, a group of friends on the verge of graduating speculate on what the future holds. Will Leah be a chef? Robin an accountant? And Olivia the one who holds it all together? The one thing they know is that they’ll always be friends – no matter what – but they make a pact to meet up in five years, just in case fate intervenes.
Years later it’s clear that life has not gone according to plan. Why is Robin in New York determined never to go back to Dublin? Why is Olivia grieving? And why does Leah feel so left out as she heads towards the big three-o?
When Robin is forced to return, they all find themselves face to face with the past – suddenly nothing can ever be the same again. And they start to realize that sometimes it’s best never to say never . . .
‘An absolute joy from start to finish’ Irish Independent
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The Learning Curve
Melissa Nathan
Nicky Hobbs loves teaching at the local primary school. She’s idolised by her class – in particular ten-year-old Oscar Samuels – but she’s starting to find she’d quite like some adult adoration for a change.
Mark Samuels is a frazzled single father working all the hours God gives to provide for his beloved son, Oscar. But he’s unable to see that Oscar would prefer his presence to his presents once in a while.
Ms Hobbs knows Mr Samuels is a heartless workaholic. Mr Samuels is certain Ms Hobbs is an interfering busybody. But when they finally meet they start to discover that first impressions can be deceptive. And perhaps they’ve both got a bit of learning to do . . .
‘Tremendous fun’ Jilly Cooper
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The Accidental Mother
Rown Coleman
Sophie Mills has worked her Manolo Blahniks off to reach the near-top of her profession. And she’s very happy with her priorities in life – her job, her neurotic cat Artemis and her passion for shoes. After all, relationships only get in the way. And as for children? She hasn’t even begun to think about them yet. Until one day an unexpected visitor brings news of a strange inheritance and Sophie is
suddenly, out of the blue, in sole charge of two children under the age of six. But motherhood can’t be all that hard, can it?
Within twenty-four hours, her make-up is smeared all over the bathroom, Artemis has taken up residence on top of her wardrobe, and Sophie is in despair. And all her unconventional mother can suggest is Dr Roberts’ Complete Dog Training and Care Manual.
Determined to rise to the challenge, Sophie soon realises that she’ll need more than a business plan to cope with all this . . .
Praise for Rowan Coleman
‘A witty, wonderful, warm-hearted read’ Company
‘Touching and thought-provoking’ B
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