Three Amazing Things About You(13)

‘Would you like us to go out on a date?’

Rory nodded. ‘Yes.’ Was this some kind of trick?

‘Fantastic,’ said Tasha. ‘How about now?’

‘What? You mean . . . tonight?’

‘Tonight is now. So, yes. Only if you want to, though.’

‘I do want to.’ He had to ask. ‘Except, what about this boyfriend you think you might have?’

And now she was hooking a strand of hair behind her ear, properly smiling and giving him a keep-up look. ‘Well, this may be jumping the gun a little bit, but I’m kind of hoping he might be you.’

Rory had to replay the sentence in his mind to make sure she meant what he thought she meant. Not slow as a rule, he said, ‘Are you serious?’

Tasha’s grin broadened. ‘You tried to play it so cool, pretending that us meeting up here was a coincidence. Then that woman came along and blew your cover. So I’m returning the favour and not playing it cool either. Everything you said about how you felt after last week . . . you know, kicking yourself and wishing you’d got my number and wondering if you’d ever see me again?’

‘Yes?’ Rory held his breath; was this how it felt to have five numbers on the lottery and the final ball teetering, about to fall into place?

Tasha moved closer to him and rested the palm of her hand lightly against his chest. Her blue eyes were shining up at him. ‘Me too.’ She nodded for emphasis. ‘It was exactly the same for me.’





Chapter 7


At twelve minutes to midnight, the doorbell went. Upstairs, Hallie pressed the intercom and said, ‘Yes?’

‘I saw your light was on.’ It was Luke’s voice, friendly and laid-back. ‘Not going back to the pub?’

‘No, I decided not to bother. Too much effort.’

‘I can wheel you there if you want.’

‘Thanks, but it’s fine.’ She smiled, touched by the offer. ‘I’m comfortable here now.’

He hesitated. ‘In that case, would you like some company?’

‘Brilliant! Can I have Leonardo DiCaprio?’

‘Well . . .’

‘Joke,’ said Hallie. ‘Buzzing you in. Come on up.’

She was sitting on the bed rather than in it, still wearing her red dress. When Luke appeared in the bedroom doorway, she said, ‘How was the patient?’

‘He’ll be fine.’ Luke wouldn’t go into details, she knew that. He was far too discreet.

‘Take a seat. Pull the chair round.’ Hallie indicated the full-length windows. ‘We’ve got the best view of the fireworks from up here.’

‘Perfect.’

‘And we have this to toast the New Year.’ She held up an unopened mini bottle of Moët decorated with Swarovski crystals. ‘Bea gave it to me for Christmas, isn’t it fab? We can share it!’

Outside, people were beginning to gather in front of the White Hart, ready for the fireworks that would shortly be set off on the centre of the low stone bridge across the river. Hallie switched on the TV so they could see and hear the celebrations in London too.

‘So how about New Year’s resolutions?’ She tilted her head at Luke. ‘Made any?’

‘Just the usual, I suppose. Do the best job I can, try to save a few lives.’ He shrugged. ‘Try not to kill too many people off.’

Hallie grinned. ‘Most people are too scared to joke about death in front of me. It’s so boring, knowing they’re editing themselves the whole time.’

‘Go on then,’ said Luke. ‘What about your resolutions?’

‘Well, I’ve been giving this some serious thought, and I reckon I really need to start killing people off. So long as they’ve definitely registered themselves on the organ donor list.’ She shrugged. ‘Otherwise it might all be a bit pointless.’

He nodded in agreement. ‘And they’d have to be a good match.’

‘Obviously.’

‘Try not to get caught, though. Mass murderers probably have a hard time getting to the top of the transplant list.’

‘And I’m so clumsy I’d be bound to leave clues and give myself away. I won’t bother. Too much effort.’ Hallie pulled a face. ‘OK, my resolution is to make it through the next twelve months and get to see the fireworks a year from now.’ She paused and looked over at Luke. ‘Do you think I will?’

He didn’t flinch. ‘Will any of us? There’s no answer to that. Obviously we hope so.’

‘When was the last time you saved someone’s life?’

Luke thought about it. ‘Actually resuscitating them? A couple of years ago. Spotting a symptom and making sure the patient gets the right treatment . . . well, that happens more often.’