Chapter Seven

Melissa sat back on her sofa, shattered. Her small show had been a triumph, even if she did say so herself. She’d never be an internationally renowned designer, not like Lawrence. Even if she had the talent, which she wasn’t convinced of, she didn’t have the all-consuming passion and drive that such an aspiration needed. But she loved fashion, loved what she did, and was more than happy to remain a small, respected label, known for its soft, flowing fabrics.

She rested her head against the plush cushions, savouring the few moments of peace before Alice brought William back. How lucky to find a friend who was not only willing to look after her son, but happy to do so. Smiling to herself she stretched out on the sofa. And promptly fell asleep.

She awoke to the sound of the door bell, followed by the shrieks of two noisy boys.

‘Come on in.’ William and Simon tumbled through the door, followed more sedately by Alice. She managed to catch a fleeting kiss from her son before he darted upstairs with his friend.

‘Any chance of a drink for your child minder?’ Alice asked, already walking towards the kitchen.

‘A drink is the least you deserve. You have no idea how much you looking after William means to me. It’s not just knowing he’s with someone I like and trust, but knowing he’s happy, too. It takes away the guilt. I’m truly grateful.’ She stopped and gave Alice a fierce hug.

‘Whoa, no problem. He’s not exactly hard work, you know. In fact it’s easier having him over than not. Simon leaves his sister alone when William’s around, which means a far more harmonious household.’ Alice stood back and studied her. ‘So, was it a success? Am I going to see trousers and tops by Melissa, in all the high street stores?’

Melissa smiled and went to fill up the kettle. ‘I sincerely hope not. I aim to have a discreet, classy label. Items for the discerning lady.’

‘Like me?’

‘Exactly like you,’ she agreed with a chuckle, adding teabags to two bright pink mugs. Mugs she’d been careful not to bring out for Daniel. ‘And thank you for asking, yes, it was a success. We’ll know better when the critics come out and the orders come in, but there were a lot of complimentary noises.’

‘Fantastic. I’ve always wanted a famous friend.’ Alice accepted the mug of tea and wandered into the lounge.

‘I would have thought you’d had enough with a famous brother,’ Melissa remarked, following after her.

‘What can I say? I like to surround myself with talent. That way nobody notices I haven’t got any.’

Melissa wagged a finger at her. ‘You have lots of talent. You just haven’t decided what to do with it yet.’

‘Umm, I’ll have to remember that line. Anyway, speaking of talent, have you decided whether you’re going to your Christmas party yet? If you’re up for Best New Designer award, you really should go, you know.’

Melissa sat back on her favourite armchair and cupped the mug with her hands. When she’d first heard she’d been nominated for ‘Best Newcomer’, announced at the annual Fashion Designers’ Christmas party, she’d been unbelievably flattered and filled with enthusiasm for going. ‘I’ve not replied yet. I know I should go, but since I heard Lawrence will be the guest speaker …’ she tailed off, unwilling to say the truth out in the open. She was scared of bumping into him. He’d not contacted her since his last visit and she was quietly hoping he would forget all about his desire to see his son.

‘Are you really going to give up the chance of collecting an award just to avoid him? Miss out on the glowing tributes? The publicity?’

She sighed. ‘When you put it like that, I know it would be stupid not to go. I’ve worked damn hard for it. The chances are I won’t win, but just think how fabulous it would be if I did?’ Briefly she allowed herself the vanity of imagining walking up on stage to rapturous applause. ‘I don’t suppose you fancy going with me? You know, hold my hand. Give me a shove if my name gets called out?’

‘Protect you from Lawrence?’ Alice added shrewdly.

‘Maybe, if it calls for it.’

Putting down her cup, Alice regarded her thoughtfully. ‘What you need isn’t a female friend, but a male one. The tall, strong, dashing type who could scare Lawrence away with a blink of his eye.’ She paused and grinned. ‘I know just the man.’

Melissa hastily swallowed her mouthful of tea. ‘Oh no. Going to a fashion event would be the last thing Daniel would want to do. One rung below a trip to the dentist, I expect.’

‘Ha. He’s never worried about the dentist. In fact he dated one for a while. I’m sure that’s why he’s got such sparkling teeth.’

‘Still, I don’t want to trouble him.’ It was too easy to picture herself on his arm. To imagine how confident she would feel with him at her side. ‘I’ll think about it over the weekend and maybe find enough courage from somewhere to go by myself.’ With a gesture to the noise of drums she could hear from above, Melissa changed the subject. ‘Why is it boys only want to learn a musical instrument that makes enough of a din to rattle the walls?’

Alice laughed, and the conversation moved on.

A few hours later, having settled William into bed, Melissa was surprised by a knock on the door. Cautiously she peeked through the curtain only to find Daniel standing on the pavement. He’d obviously come straight from the tennis centre and still wore his tracksuit bottoms and trademark white T-shirt beneath a bulky sports jacket.

‘This is a surprise.’ Melissa opened the door and stood by to let him in.

‘Any food on offer for a hungry tennis coach?’ he asked, bending to give her a light kiss on the cheek. Just as it had the last time, her cheek tingled from the feel of his lips.

As he stepped inside and shut the door behind him, the hallway felt instantly cramped.

‘I’ve already eaten with William, but there’s some left if you want it.’ He was confusing her. He’d never visited unannounced before. Was he changing tactics now? The thought made her jumpy. She enjoyed seeing him – more than she wanted to admit – but then he pushed that little too far, or stared that little too long, and all her fears came crashing back.

‘Leftovers. Excellent.’ It took her a second to realise Daniel was walking through to the kitchen. He pulled out a stool by the breakfast bar and perched on it, looking perfectly at home. His legs were so long he didn’t even have to hitch himself up. ‘I’ll have whatever you’ve got. And while you’re warming it up, you can tell me about this Christmas party you’ve been invited to.’

Instantly the purpose of his visit became blindingly clear. ‘Alice has been speaking to you.’

Daniel watched Melissa’s grey eyes turn cool and struggled not to grin. In one chilling look she managed to convey that the party was her business, not his. And that she planned on dealing with it her way. ‘Alice told me you’re up for an award, yes,’ he returned easily, watching as she scooped the left over fish pie onto a plate and into the microwave. ‘It must be really gratifying to know your talent has been recognised by your peers.’

‘It would be gratifying were I to win it. Which is highly unlikely.’

She busied herself with finding some cutlery, carefully avoiding his eyes. It was a bit like a game of cat and mouse, he thought, amused. She knew why he was here, but was clearly going to pretend otherwise. ‘Still, just to be nominated is a great honour,’ he pressed. ‘You’ve got to get a kick out of that, surely?’

Melissa placed the plate of food in front of him. ‘Yes,’ she replied slowly. ‘I do.’

‘So it would be crazy not to go to the Christmas party, wouldn’t it? To see what some of that recognition feels like?’

She heaved out a sigh and sat on the stool opposite him. ‘Are you really going to do this?’

‘Do what?’ he asked innocently.

‘Chip away at me with all your talk. Wear me down until I admit you’re right.’

‘I won’t have to, if you admit it now.’

She threw her hands up in the air. ‘Okay, okay. You and Alice are both right. I’ll go to the damn party.’

Delighted to have won so easily, he took a mouthful of the fish pie. ‘Umm, this is good.’ He swallowed it down. ‘I’ll come with you.’

He spoke the words casually, in the same tone he’d used to compliment her on the pie, but she froze like a hare in the headlamps just the same. ‘I don’t believe you’re invited.’

‘Then invite me.’

‘You make it sound so simple.’

‘It is.’

‘No, it isn’t.’ Her agitation showed in the way her hands found things to do. Wipe at a mark on the already spotless worktop. Rearrange the perfectly arranged fruit in the fruit bowl. ‘You’re very kind. Alice is very kind to put you up to this, but I’m not weak and helpless. Not any more. I can manage on my own.’

‘I know you can. I just thought it might be more fun if you had company.’ He played his charm card. ‘Besides, I reckon I’d enjoy it. I love a good party.’

Surprise, followed by amusement raced across her features. ‘You’re kidding.’

‘Why do you say that? If you’re anything to go by, spending an evening in the company of a host of glamorous designers could be just up my street.’ He took a final forkful of the pie. ‘It’s your choice, Melissa. The offer is there, should you wish to accept it.’

She rested her chin in her hands, her elbows on the breakfast bar. ‘I know what you did there, twisting it round so now it looks like I would be doing you a favour, when really we both know it’s the other way round.’

‘There are no favours here. I’d like to spend an evening with you. Full stop.’

Her breath hitched and for a second he wondered if she was still going to turn him down. But then she smiled. ‘Okay then. I’d really like it if you came to the party with me.’

He couldn’t help himself. He grinned like a cat who’d just prized a bowl of cream from its frugal owner. ‘There you go. That wasn’t so bad, was it?’ Then his grin slipped a little as he considered what he’d actually let himself in for. ‘Is there a dress code I should be aware of? Do I have to wear one of your creations?’

Melissa stared at him wide-eyed for a moment, then burst into a fit of giggles. The sight of her bent over, laughing uncontrollably, did crazy things to his heart, even if the laughter did appear to be at his expense. ‘A suit is fine,’ she finally managed. ‘Umm, have you got any clue what I design?’

She had him there. ‘No. Maybe you’d better show me so I can talk intelligently about patterns and style and … buttons.’ Oh boy, he was really out of his depth here. ‘Or whatever it is designers talk about,’ he added for good measure.

Melissa slipped off the stool and walked round the breakfast bar so she was standing in front of him. ‘What do you see when you look at me?’

Daniel eyed her appreciatively. ‘One gorgeous, classy babe.’

Briefly she raised her eyes to the ceiling. ‘Thank you, but we were talking about clothes. More specifically, the clothes I design. I’m wearing some.’

And now he could see why she’d laughed at him. He’d look bloody daft in what she was wearing. She on the other hand … looked amazing.

Having been given a legitimate excuse, Daniel took his time to study her. He started with her top, which was made of some silky fabric that draped seductively over her breasts and was tied in a bow just above the waist of her trousers. His eyes lowered, taking in the floaty trousers that hugged her trim waist, emphasised her cute backside, and finally cascaded over her long legs to the floor. ‘Elegance and sophistication are two words that spring immediately to mind. What I can’t work out is whether it’s the clothes making the body look hot, or the hot body that’s showing off the clothes.’

Her cheeks coloured and her eyelids immediately shuttered over her eyes, making it impossible for him to read what she thought of his remark. He was damned if he was going to apologise for being honest, though.

She cleared her throat. ‘That’s the general idea. A really good design should have you wondering exactly that. Thank you.’

He stood and moved towards her, catching hold of the material and running it through his hands. A snap of desire pulsed through him, hot and needy. Instinctively he pulled her towards him, running his hands appreciatively up and down her arms.

‘Daniel …’ Her voice was a throaty whisper.

He ached to touch her more. To haul her against him and feel how those smooth, toned curves fitted with his hard angles. But as he looked into her eyes he saw not just desire, but fear. Cursing her ex-husband, he broke away. ‘Thanks for the tea. I’d better be going.’

He turned and walked towards the door. Away from her, away from temptation.