Thea’s eyes widened. Had she overheard their conversation? Ammy’s fine blonde hair moved gently in the breeze. She looked up at her mum, and as an enormous grin grew on her lips, Thea’s heart melted. But she couldn’t go to the wedding with Felix. He must have offered to take her out of pity. It was the last emotion she wanted from him.
“Thank you, but I’m sure you’ve better things to do with your weekend than chaperone me. What about Lucas?”
“He’s spending the weekend with his mother. I’m taking him to the city after school on Friday, so it’s no bother.”
Thea’s brows pinched. No bother? It was hardly a chivalrous thing to say. It was the sort of thing you said after offering to make someone a cup of tea. He must have an ulterior motive. Another reason he was keen to go. Perhaps he was interested in buying the wedding venue? The magazine said he had a habit of purchasing hotels willy-nilly.
Still, his eyes shone with something a little deeper than they had before. Like her decision weighed heavily on him.
A tingle crept over Thea’s skin. Whyshouldn’tshe go to the wedding with Felix? What was the worst that could happen? Tears? A bloodbath? He’d have to be on his best behaviour with Josh and Daniel there. Besides, she could have some glorious fun winding him up.
“Okay,” she said. “On one condition.Idrive.”
Felix scoffed. “Absolutely not.”
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but I’d rather get there in one piece. And there’s more room in my car for Ammy’s beautiful dress.” He looked down at her daughter with a smile.
He certainly knew the way to a woman’s heart. Flattery and clothes.
“Yes. Please, Mummy? Felix’s car is a lot nicer than ours. Lucas says there’s a DVD player, and I can watch Harry Potter. And if we go with Felix, I won’t get cat fur on my pretty dress.”
Felix flicked an eyebrow of triumph at Thea, and a rumble of something ground in her gut. “Fine. You can drive.”
Ammy released Thea’s hand and walked towards Felix’s car with Lucas. He turned to join them, but Thea stopped him, brushing her fingers along the back of his arm. “I have to ask. Why are you being so nice?” She chewed at her lip. “It’s the widow thing, isn’t it?”
“Pardon?”
“Now that you know I’m widowed, you probably feel sorry for me, like most people do. You know, a poor, defenceless woman.”
Felix snickered, shaking his head. “You’re the last person I’d consider defenceless. I’d send you into battle before me any day.”
“Why offer to come with me, then? Why are you being so nice to Ammy?”
Felix levelled a look at her. “I thought it would be good to settle our differences. Get on the right foot before our evening together.”
That made no sense. “At the wedding?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
Felix’s eyes swept over her face as if searching for something. After a few seconds, he shook his head.
“Check your emails, Thea. I’ll see you on Saturday. Let me know what time to pick you up.”
Without another word, Felix walked to his car, giving Ammy a “high-five” before loading Lucas inside. While he reversed out through the gate, Thea’s body burned. A searing tingle in her fingers. In her toes. And all she wanted to do was get to her computer.
She raced past Ammy and almost tripped over Wendy as she headed to the office. Once there, she pulled up her favourite chair and flipped open the lid of her laptop, switching it on. Hours seemed to pass before it finally sprang into life, and a big picture of Jeffrey in a bowtie welcomed her.
With trembling hands, Thea opened up her inbox, scanning the usual assortment of adverts for animal feed, gloves and veterinary services. She moved past the advert for the Young Growers 2024 nude Harvest Heat calendar, but nothing stood out. What was Felix talking about? She scowled, running her eyes down the folders in her inbox until they landed on the words “Vault of Doom.”
Thea’s blood ran cold. Of course. Kitty had set the folder up a couple of weeks ago to manage the irritating influx of dinner dance related messages from Persephone and Felix. She clicked the icon, and there, labelled “unread,” was an email from Persephone Murray. Its subject read “Important.”
Thea took in a sharp breath and read it.
Congratulations, Thea. Yours was the winning bid for the evening with Felix. I dread to think what it cost you.
