starched linen napkin that matched the tablecloth, screwed it into a ball and pressed it against her mouth.
Emily had been listening quietly, her eyes huge. Then she put her arm around Susie. ‘Oh, hell! I didn’t even think. You’re the one that’s always wanted a family. Hannah’s the career girl. And now it’s me.’ Her arm tightened. ‘Do you want to escape for a bit? Go for a walk or something?’
‘No. I’m fine.’
‘Your nose is dripping. Have you got a hanky?’
‘No.’ Susie sniffed inelegantly.
‘Use the napkin.’
‘Ooh, gross!’ But it made Susie smile. ‘I’m OK, really,’ she said a moment later. ‘I just feel a bit left out, that’s all.’ She took another deep breath. ‘OK, so I’m jealous. I’m sorry, Em.’
‘Don’t be stupid. It’s me who should be sorry. It’ll happen for you, you know. Like I said, some gorgeous guy is going to come along and before you know it, you’ll be knee deep in nappies.’
‘Ha! I haven’t even met anyone I’d want to date in months, let alone marry.’
‘Alex looks perfectly datable to me.’
‘There’s no point in dating when it’s got no chance of going anywhere. I’m getting too old for games like that.’
‘What’s happened to that girl who persuaded her twin to have her first-ever one-night stand—to see what having the best sex in her life might be like? To try a playboy because they’re the ones who’ve had the most practice?’
‘She’s grown up,’ Susie said sadly.
Or maybe she’d just been hurt too many times. You got carried away by physical attraction and the next thing you knew you were in love with some guy who had never had any intention of making a relationship permanent. Or even long term. No wonder she had a personal crystal ball that revealed the future so easily when it came to men. Especially men like…Alex.
‘Best thing that Hannah ever did, though, wasn’t it?’ Emily persisted. ‘She let herself go enough to have a fling with someone she fancied, and look where she is now. Married to him. Having his baby.’
‘Don’t remind me. I’m going to be everybody’s aunt. They’ll all come to visit mad Aunty Susie who lives all by herself with a zillion cats.’
Emily’s nudge was not gentle. ‘Get a grip,’ she instructed. ‘Distraction is what you need, and don’t try and tell me that Alex Vavunis couldn’t distract you. I’ve noticed how often you’ve been looking at that table.’
‘I’ve been watching Charles. He’s looking a bit stressed, don’t you think?’
‘Liar!’
Susie had to smile back but it was disturbing to think it might have been so obvious. She’d tried to stop but her eyes had simply refused to obey instructions and kept travelling to catch another glimpse. Eye candy.
And this particular variety seemed to be addictive.
Had Alex noticed? The thought made her cringe. It also made her drag her gaze away from Emily to look over her shoulder. To her horror, Alex was a lot closer than the last time she’d seen him.
‘He’s coming over.’ Emily’s stage whisper was delighted. ‘The music’s started. I’ll bet he’s going to ask you to dance.’
It was the last thing Susie needed right now.
Or was it?
With every step he took towards her, she could feel the curl of that overwhelming attraction increase. By the time he was ten feet away, it was hot enough to be melting something deep within her. If she danced with Alex, she would be closer than she’d been to him so far. Dancing involved touching. A lot of touching.
Almost as much touching as…
Oh, help!
Susie didn’t need to consider using the starched napkin as a handkerchief any more. She needed a fan!
The threat of tears was long gone. So was any thought of feeling sorry for herself. Maybe Emily had been right and she needed the distraction that dancing with Alex would provide.
It would be fun. Exciting. A chance to remind herself how much pleasure life had to offer instead of crying in a corner, feeling as if it was all passing her by.
Susie found herself rising to her feet.
Smiling at Alex.
Wordlessly taking his outstretched hand in her response to the invitation to dance.
Letting him lead her, hand in hand, onto the dance floor.
He’d been waiting for this moment for what seemed like for ever.
Alex had spotted Susie the moment she’d arrived for this function. Somewhat to his surprise, the whole room full of people hadn’t stopped enjoying their pre-dinner cocktails and introduction session and turned to stare at her. She certainly looked stunning enough to stop traffic.
Soft waves of golden blonde hair, loose and shining under the artificial lights. A delphinium blue dress that was a perfect match for her eyes and made of some soft, clingy fabric that emphasised every delicious curve of her body. Tiny shoulder straps looked like blue spaghetti and the hem of the dress was uneven. It had pointy bits that hung below her knees, but when she moved it swirled, revealing tantalising glimpses of those long, tanned legs.
He couldn’t get near her, dammit! At first he’d been stuck in an excruciatingly boring conversation with a self-important politician.
‘The cyclone damage was in the millions. Made sure I got out and inspected every bit of it myself. Plenty of photos in the papers to prove that.’
Alex had caught a hint of blue between the black suits surrounding him. He’d put a finger under his bow- tie and loosened it just a little.
‘I saw pictures of what happened to the medical centre here,’ he’d murmured. ‘Devastating.’
‘Nearly destroyed the old bridge and cut the main hospital off from the town and the rest of Australia, for that matter. I’ve made a pledge to the people to get a new bridge built. Have to see if I can get old George on side. His business would go down the drain if the bridge went west.’
The mayor of Crocodile Creek was still wearing his gold medallion, although he’d discarded the rest of his official robes in the wake of the ribbon-cutting ceremony and speeches of the afternoon. He seemed to want to repeat his speech, verbatim, to Alex.
‘We might be in the far north and outside the location of what many people consider civilisation, but if you’re unfortunate enough to get sick or injured in these parts, you can be sure of getting the best care that medicine has to offer. Even if it happens when you’re on a tropical island holiday.’
People were starting to
