Short and Sweet Part 14

*When exactly is he returning?'

*After Christmas.' d.a.m.n! They really should have synchronized stories better.

*Then tell him we're all expecting to see him on New Year's Eve. Without fail!'

As she closed the door, Bianca sagged against it in relief. Phew! His family must be as bad as hers. No wonder Hal was taking serious avoidance tactics.

Two hours later it was her turn to use the buzzer to summon help. By that time, they'd spent a hilarious hour synchronizing stories, so Hal was able to get rid of her Cousin Gina without blowing their cover.

*This is fun!' she said as they met at the fence on the way back to their own houses.

*You're right, Bianca.' He helped her climb over, paused for a moment before he let her go, then shook his head and stepped quickly backwards.

Oooh! she thought as she went indoors. Men didn't come in any more tempting packages. Good job she was now fireproof against them.

Well, sort of fireproof. Just because she didn't want to get married again didn't mean she had to stay celibate, did it? Then she frowned. She'd never been into casual s.e.x and she wasn't going to start now. It had to mean something.

So did marriage. More than it had to Roger, that was sure, the rat!

Thinking of him dampened her reactions down. It always did.

Christmas Day dawned with a weather forecast of a *century', a hundred degrees Fahrenheit, old style. Hot sun beat down from another cloudless sky. Bianca went for an early swim then took cover inside her house. At ten o'clock the buzzer sounded and a minute later Hal climbed over the fence, a hara.s.sed look on his face.

When she got back from sending one of his cousins away a boy, his mother must be the suspicious type! a he was sprawled in one of her patio chairs looking as if he belonged there.

Temptation whispered in her ear and she gave in to it. *What are you doing for a meal today?'

He shrugged. *I've bought a steak.'

*Do you want to bring it over and join me in a barbecue? Nothing fancy, but I'm obviously not going to dare set foot outside today.'

He gave her a long cool glance, then smiled. *I'd really like that. I confess I wasn't looking forward to being totally alone. I've got a bottle of very good champagne and a box of decadent home-made chocolates that are just meant to be shared with a friend.'

When he named the brand of chocolates, she licked her lips. Her favourites. *I'm your slave for life! Why don't you come round about twelve?'

*That would be perfect.'

As he climbed back over the fence, she stood and admired the play of taut muscles, then hurriedly turned away before he could catch her staring.

Humming, she went into the bedroom to put on the new summery dress she'd bought a couple of weeks ago. She'd been looking for an excuse to wear it.

He turned up dressed in casual navy shorts and a white top, which looked brilliant with his tanned skin.

The day just got better from then on. As they both worked in the same industry, they found a lot to talk about. But more importantly, they chatted like old friends, enjoying comfortable silences as well as lively exchanges of opinions.

Later, they watched TV together. She enjoyed his sharp mind and his gentle wit, and they even liked the same sorts of programmes.

She had never felt such instant rapport with anyone. And that was beginning to worry her, so she made sure he left at ten o'clock by claiming to be tired.

He didn't try to argue or kiss her, but looked at her shrewdly and nodded. *Very sensible.'

They didn't see each other again till after Christmas, because they were both spending Boxing Day with friends.

And a good thing, too!

Wasn't it?

On the day before New Year's Eve, she b.u.mped into Hal at the local supermarket. *Hi there! How's it going?' she asked brightly, determined to keep the conversation brief.

He shrugged. *Christmas was fine, but my mother's insisting on my going round tomorrow to the family party. Big fuss if I don't. And if only she'd lay off the matchmaking, I'd love to catch up with everyone. But she won't. My cousin's already warned me that she's found a new female to toss at me a a librarian who goes to her church.' He sighed.

Her heart went out to him. *My mother's the same. Only with her it's New Year's Day. If I don't turn up then, they'll murder me. And she's got a cousin with an eligible son visiting from Italy. She has too many cousins, my mother does.'

They pushed their trolleys along in single file for the length of an aisle, both stopping at the fruit displays.

He picked up a bunch of bananas, studied it intently, then shot a quick glance sideways at her. *You a um a wouldn't consider coming with me tomorrow night, would you? My mother puts on a great feast and I think you'd enjoy yourself. And you'd be excellent protection. I'll do the same for you the day after, if you like.'

*Hmm.' It was dangerous. He was too attractive. But she wasn't looking forward to spending New Year's Eve on her own, so in the end she shrugged. *Why not?'

*You mean, you will come?' His face brightened instantly.

*I said so, didn't I?'

They finished shopping. *You'd better come round and tell me the details!' she called as they stopped at her car. *I'll put the kettle on.'

*You're an angel.' He walked off whistling.

He came over the back fence again. She was getting used to seeing him do that. Far too used to it.

He looked at her over the rim of his coffee mug. *There's just one thing. I was thinking as I unpacked the groceries a would you mind a um, pretending to be a well, pretending that we're seeing one another? In love, even. It might give me a few months' grace afterwards.'

His blush was back. She was a sucker, but she still couldn't resist him when he blushed. *No, I wouldn't mind. As long as that's all it is, just pretending. I meant what I said about not wanting another relations.h.i.+p.'

*Your marriage was that bad?' he asked gently.

She stared down into her mug. *Worse than bad. Roger turned out to be violent.' She had never told anyone else the details. *I was stupid at first, kept giving him another chance, because in between he could be really nice. But it didn't work. He kept promising to get therapy and not following through, though I made enquiries and they said they could help him.'

She sipped more coffee, then said it aloud for the first time, *When I decided to leave, he came home and caught me moving out. He thumped me.' She swallowed hard. She'd thought he was going to murder her but he'd stepped back and, for no reason that she could figure, had left the house.

Hal gave a long, low whistle, and for a moment his hand covered hers. *I'm sorry.'

She clung to his hand for a moment or two more, then let go and told him the rest, *He stalked me for a while. They didn't manage to catch him. Then he found himself a new woman.

*I've not seen him since, but it's left me a bit a nervous. Which is why I love living in this gated development.'

Silence drifted around them for a few moments, then he said, *I moved in here because of my equipment. It's insured, of course, but I can't bear the thought of some thieving burglar getting his hands on it.'

Another silence, then he added gently, *Thank you for your help. And for your confidences. I won't take advantage of your goodwill gesture, I promise. I'm definitely not looking for a permanent relations.h.i.+p.' He got up, put the mug on the sink and went out of the back.

She didn't know whether to be glad or sorry about that last statement.

Glad! Of course she was glad! She didn't want anything permanent either. She didn't dare.

Bianca stared at herself in the mirror, twitching the skirt down a little, but of course it shot up again. Was it too short? You could wear any length you liked these days, but did she really want to show so much leg? What would his family think of her? No, she'd better change into her long blue skirt.

The doorbell rang just then and she nearly panicked at the thought of him seeing her like this, but she took a deep breath and told herself not to be stupid. They had an agreement, right? No involvements.

She went to open the door and slammed it in her ex-husband's face so quickly that she managed to push his foot out again before he could jam the door open. Without thinking, she rushed for the buzzer and pressed it to call Hal. Then she realized she should be pressing the alarm b.u.t.ton and let go of Hal's home-made buzzer to press for security.

A siren began to ring and a blue light flashed outside her house. A figure came running round the front of the villa and for a moment she tensed, then realized it was Hal. He grabbed hold of Roger, who was still banging on her door.

She rushed to open the door. *It's my ex.'

The two men stared at one another, then Roger shoved Hal away and ran off.

*Are you all right.'

When he pulled her to him, she went readily, leaning against him and shuddering.

His voice was soft, anxious. *Bianca? Did he hurt you?'

*No, but he tried to a to push his way inside.' She couldn't help s.h.i.+vering at the thought of what might have happened if he'd succeeded.

A car squealed to a halt outside and she moved back from Hal. *Sorry. I meant to press the security alarm, but pressed your buzzer first by mistake. This is none of your business.'

*I'm there if you need me. That's what friends are for.'

*You all right, Miss Marella?' The security guard was eyeing Hal suspiciously.

*I am now. My neighbour came to my aid.' But she was still shaking.

*Shall we go inside?'

She nodded and held the door open.

As he entered the house, the security officer asked quietly, for her ears only, *Is Mr Crawford here with your permission?'

*Yes. I a he's a good friend.'

*Perhaps you should sit down and tell me what happened?'

She explained and then found them a photograph of her ex so that they'd be able to keep an eye open for him.

*Will you be all right now, Miss Marella?'

*Yes. Hal and I are going out soon. And I always leave the alarm system on.'

When he'd left, Hal drew her close and simply held her again, which was just what she needed. She allowed herself to cling to him for a minute or two longer.

*That must have been a dreadful shock.'

*It was. I was so a unprepared to see him again.' She managed a shaky smile. *I thought I'd got over that a the fear, I mean. I even took self-defence cla.s.ses.'

*How about a brandy?'

She nodded, sipped it and found it comforting. *I feel a fool. Why don't you join me?'

*I'm driving. And you're definitely not a fool. But I will have a lemonade.'

It was half an hour before she declared herself ready to leave. She double-checked that the windows were locked and set the alarm, stepping into Hal's car, relieved to be getting away.

Then she clutched his arm. *Oops! I forgot the chocolates for your mother!'

*There's no need.'

She shook her head. *I can't go empty-handed the first time.'

*My family has that custom, too.'

His smile curled her toes and she was the one to blush this time. It was a relief to dive out of the car and go back into the house, where she stood for a moment, with her hands pressed against her burning cheeks.

*Heavens, he's so good-looking when he smiles,' she muttered. *I've got to be careful here.'

Hal's mother eyed the chocolates in approval and kissed Bianca's cheek. *Thank you, dear. That was kind of you.' The look she gave their linked hands was so knowing that alarm bells rang in Bianca's head and Hal took her away quickly to get a drink.

His father was behind the makes.h.i.+ft bar. *For a lovely young woman like this, it must be champagne,' he announced loudly.

Everyone nearby turned round to stare at Bianca. She pressed closer to Hal for moral support. He put his arm round her.

The faces all smiled at them in a sentimental way.

*I'd forgotten how they stare,' he muttered. *Sorry about that.'

*It is a bit unnerving. But my relatives will be as bad.'

*Here you are!' Mr Crawford pressed a gla.s.s of champagne into Bianca's hand and clinked his own against it. *I'm delighted to meet you, my dear. Delighted. It's about time Hal brought someone home.' He winked at her.

She didn't know what to do, so gulped down some champagne.

Brandy plus champagne made her feel very relaxed, she found. She decided it was good to be surrounded by people on New Year's Eve and she might as well enjoy herself. She was grateful to Hal for helping her, and what did it matter if she went along with the fiction that they were in love? It was just a game a a very pleasant game, too.

She went across to join him. *Stare into my eyes, lover boy! Let's give them something to talk about.'

As they gazed into one another's eyes, he whispered, *Could you bear to let me kiss you, Bianca? Only, my mother's still determined to introduce me to the new girl a just in case. We have to prove that we're together beyond all reasonable doubt.'

She nodded. *Go ahead.'

He took the champagne gla.s.s out of her hand and set it down carefully next to his orange juice. As she lifted her lips to his, it seemed as if there were only the two of them in the whole universe. Slowly he bent towards her.