Page 40 of Butterfly
“Welcome,” she says. A naughty twinkle sparks in her hazel eyes when she gazes at Alex. “It’s an honour to have you here with us, Mr Knightley.”
“Alex, please.” He hands her a bunch of flowers and our present for Zoe. Compared to the one he gave me, this bouquet is a miniature.
“Oh, thank you.” Her bronzed skin glows from within when she accepts the gift. “Come in. Jack is already here. Hello.” She rubs Dart’s head, and he replies with a wag of his tail.
We walk along the corridor to the sitting room, where Zoe is playing on the carpet with a giant bee toy. The family dog, Lucy, barely twitches an ear when we enter. She doesn’t even show any curiosity towards Dart, who is sniffing around, his tail drawing circles. Lucy lifts her head and sniffs back. At twelve, she doesn’t have time for nonsense. Zoe’s happy laugh fills the air as she claps her hands at Dart and says something about a bear or maybe a beard. The floor is a minefield of Lego bricks, rubber balls, and tiny socks.
“Mr Knightley.” Jack shakes Alex’s hand with enthusiasm. “So good to see you again.”
“Call me Alex.”
“Hey.” Tyler doesn’t offer his hand to shake but gives Alex a polite nod before hugging me. I gasp. Surely, this hug is cracking one rib or two. His attention drops to Dart and the missing portion of fur. He frowns. “I’d recognise those stitches anywhere.” Gently, Tyler takes Dart’s face and inspects his neck.
Jack leans closer, his attention shifting from Alex to Dart. “Blimey. Sienna, is this the mysterious dog you operated on a few weeks ago?”
“Yes.” I sit next to Zoe and kiss the top of her head that smells of soap.
“You didn’t tell them it was my dog?” A hint of surprise rings in Alex’s question.
Jack huffs. “She said bloody nothing. All mysterious and shit.”
“Language,” Phoebe says from the other room. “Don’t use those words with Zoe.”
The smell of baked chicken and roasted potatoes wafts from the kitchen.
“Well, it’s true. Sienna didn’t tell us anything.” Jack winks at me.
“He’s all right now.” Tyler’s expression softens as he scratches Dart behind the ear, and Dart relaxes against him. He angles towards Alex. “You were lucky to have a vet like Sienna close by. She’s someone who can deal with emergencies.” The tone is filled with pride. For me?
Alex glances at me with a dreamy expression I can’t place. “I’m aware of my good luck and more than happy to have met Sienna.”
“Good job.” Tyler straightens and gives me a pat on the shoulder.
“Thanks,” I mutter.
“Have a drink, folks,” Phoebe says from the other side of the room. “Dinner is almost ready.”
We sit around the table that’s decorated with colourful candles and napkins folded in the shape of lotus flowers. The diamond windows reflect the lights that sparkle on the crystal glasses. The result, with the added candlelight, is warm and romantic. Maybe Alex is thinking the same thing because he fires me a glare filled with desire.
“Where’s Liam?” I ask as Tyler serves pieces of cheese and olives stabbed with tooth sticks.
“On his way. He has to finish something in the office,” he says. “Bloody lawyers are busier than doctors.”
“Or actors,” Jack says, chomping on a piece of cheese and nodding at Alex.
I grin, and even Alex flashes one of his disarming smiles. I think Phoebe sighed or something.
“I watched the whole first season ofPaladins of Shadowsin one night.” Jack raises his glass of wine to Alex. “Amazing story and performance.”
“Thank you.” A light flush creeps across Alex’s cheeks. Barely perceptible but there.
Phoebe nods, popping an olive into her mouth. “I agree. Loved it. No spoilers, folks. I still have to watch the last two episodes.”
Oh, right, the last two episodes filled with sex. I fiddle with a tooth stick, choosing another piece of cheese.
“You’re going to love the last two episodes.” Jack’s smirk is all naughtiness. Curse him.
Alex’s arm brushes mine, and I nearly spill my drink.