It shouldn’t hurt to hear. Yet it did. Anouk arranged her features into what she hoped was a neutral expression.
‘Of course. You must have a whole host of potential dates just waiting for you to call.’
‘So many it can become exhausting at times,’ he concurred blithely.
‘I’ll leave the tickets behind the Resus desk for you before your shift ends tomorrow.’
And then, before she could answer, or say anything uncharacteristically stupid, Sol walked away. The way they probably both should have done ten minutes earlier.
‘THIS PLACE IS STUNNING,’ Anouk breathed as she gazed up at the huge sandstone arches that lined either side of the gala venue, and then up again to the breathtaking vaulted ceiling.
‘Isn’t it?’ Saskia demurred.
‘I feel positively shabby by comparison.’
‘Well, you don’t look it.’ Saskia laughed and Anouk wondered if she’d imagined the tension she’d noted in her friend over the past few months. ‘You look like you’re sparkling, and it isn’t just the new dress. Although I’m glad you let me talk you into buying it.’
‘I’m glad I let you talk me into buying it, too,’ admitted Anouk, smoothing her hands over the glorious fabric.
It was amazing how much confidence the dress was giving her, from its fitted body and plunging sweetheart neckline to its mermaid hemline. Three strings of jewelled, off-the-shoulder straps swished over her upper arms whilst the royal-blue colour seemed to complement her blonde hair perfectly.
‘You look totally Hollywood.’
‘Don’t.’ Anouk shuddered, knowing Saskia was the one person she could be honest with. ‘I think I’ve had enough of Hollywood to last me a lifetime.’
‘Me, too. But still, the look is good.’
‘Maybe I should have been in more festive colours.’ She glanced at Saskia’s own, stunning emerald dress, which had looked gorgeous on the rack, but on her friend’s voluptuously feminine body seemed entirely bespoke, complementing Saskia’s dark skin tone to perfection.
‘I look like a Christmas tree.’ Her friend laughed, before waving towards the glorious eighteen-foot work of art, complete with elegant decorations, that dominated the entrance. ‘Although if I looked that amazing I’d be happy.’
‘You look even better, and you know it.’ Anouk laughed. ‘You’ve only just walked in and you’ve turned a dozen heads.’
‘They’re probably looking at you, and, either way, I don’t care. Tonight, Anouk, we’re going to relax and enjoy ourselves.’
‘We are?’
‘We are.’ Saskia was firm, taking a champagne flute from the tray of a passing waiter, her beam of thanks making the poor guy fall for her instantly. ‘Starting with this.’
She passed the drink to Anouk.
‘You still feeling sick?’ Anouk frowned.
‘Yeah.’ Saskia pulled a rueful face but Anouk didn’t miss the flush of colour staining her cheeks.
If she hadn’t known better she might have suspected that Saskia was pregnant. But that surely wasn’t possible? Up until ten months ago Saskia had been engaged and, for all Saskia’s confidence and effervescent personality, Anouk knew her ex-fiancé had been only the second man her friend had ever slept with.
But he hadn’t been as loyal, and Anouk had never really taken to him. Whenever she’d looked at him she’d seen yet another playboy—just like her mother’s lovers.
Just like Sol, a voice whispered in her head.
‘Relax.’ Saskia nudged her gently. ‘Enjoy your drink.’
‘I don’t really like...’ Anouk began, but her friend shushed her.
‘You do tonight.’
Anouk balked.
She still wasn’t sure what had happened at that nightclub. She had the vaguest memory of starting to relax and trying to have a little fun, and then a sense of panic. After that it wasn’t clear, but she’d ended up back home, in her own bed, alone.
Safe.
The popping bubbles looked innocuous enough—fun, even—but all Anouk could see was her mother, downing glasses and popping pills. Had anything else passed her lips in those final few years?
‘One glass doesn’t make you your mother.’ Saskia linked her arm through Anouk’s, reading her mind.
Anouk offered a rueful smile.
‘That obvious, huh?’
‘Only to me. Now go on, forget about your mother and enjoy this evening. You and I both deserve a bit of time off, and, anyway, we’re supporting a good cause.’
‘We are, aren’t we?’ Anouk nodded, dipping her head and taking a tentative sip.
It wasn’t as bad as she’d feared. In fact, it was actually quite pleasant. Not the cheap plonk, at least, with no bitter aftertaste. Including that of her mother.
Sighing quietly, Anouk finally felt some of the tension begin to uncoil within her.
This was going to be a good evening. She was determined to enjoy it.
‘I was beginning to think you weren’t coming after all.’
His voice was like a lightning bolt moving through her, pinning her to the spot. Her mouth felt suddenly dry, and even her legs gave a traitorous tremor beneath the gorgeous blue fabric.
Gathering up all her will, Anouk made herself turn around, even as Saskia was sliding her arm from Anouk’s and greeting Sol as if they were good friends.
Then again, they were. Saskia had been at Moorlands General for years. Admittedly a much nicer hospital than Moorlands Royal Infirmary, where she herself had trained. Why hadn’t she made the transfer sooner?
She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she only just caught Saskia murmuring something about going to check the seating plan, too late to stop her friend from slipping away into the faceless crowd.
And just like that she was alone with Sol.
As if the couple of hundred other people in the place didn’t even exist.
It should have worried Anouk more that she felt that way.
‘You look...breathtaking.’
Ridiculously, the fact that he had to reach for the word, as though it was genuine and not some well-trotted-out line, sent another bolt of brilliant light through her.
And heat.
So much heat.
Which was why he had a reputation for being fatal. He was the Smoking Gun, after all.
She would do well to remember that.
‘You thought I wasn’t coming?’ she made herself ask, tipping her head to one side in some semblance of casualness.
‘I did wonder.’
Some golden liquid swirled about an expensive-looking, crystal brandy glass in his hand. But it was the bespoke suit that really snagged her attention. Expensively tailored, it showcased Sol to perfection with his broad shoulders and strong