Page 79 of Only You

MILLIE:How is everything today? How’s Olivia?

ANA:She’s good. I’ve kept her busy.

MILLIE:Are we still on for New Year’s Eve or are you staying in with your ‘hot’ surgeon?

Ana paused; did she want to go out on New Year’s Eve? She looked down at the sketch in front of her. She needed to make some changes in her life. This was going to be perfect.

ANA:Not my ‘hot’ surgeon, and yes, just working on my outfit.

Ana sent Millie a photo of her design and material to distract her.

MILLIE:Wow, you will knock the socks off everyone in that little number! George and Julie also joining us.

Ana looked down at her design. It was not her usual style, but weren’t you supposed to shake things up and get back in the saddle when things went wrong? Maybe New Year’s Eve was just what she needed; go out, let her hair down, have some fun with her friends.

ANA:I can’t wait. Need to get back to my dress or it won’t be ready in time.

Chapter Fifty-two

Andrew

The time between Christmas and New Year went by in a flurry. Eva seemed to spend more and more time with them, which Andrew found a little disconcerting. Olivia was happy, and he had to admit Eva had surprised him. Ana had all but disappeared. He knew she was around when he was at work. Olivia filled him in on her days, but as soon as he got home, she made herself scarce. Either disappearing downstairs or going out. He preferred it when he knew she was downstairs. At least that way, he knew she was not with someone else. The thought was wearing him down, not that he had any rights to her. She deserved to have her own life, not be tied to an older man who had already experienced his youth.

“Daddy, Mummy, look how pretty Ana looks.”

Time slowed down as Andrew looked up. They were dressed to match. Only Olivia’s was a PG version of the dress Ana was wearing. His pulse kicked up.

His heart moved into his throat, causing him to swallow sharply. Ana’s dress exposed her long legs, her hips and breasts hugged by the material in a subtle, yet provocative way. All the blood rushed from his head and into his lap, making him shift uncomfortably in his seat.

Eva was sitting at the kitchen table, a glass of wine in front of her. He’d only invited her because he thought it would be an ideal time for Ana to get to know her sister. Instead, Ana had surprised him by announcing she was going out. Now he was left seeing in the New Year with his ex-wife and daughter. Olivia was happy, and that was all that mattered, or so he kept trying to tell himself.

“You look stunning little sis,” Eva said, getting up and walking over to her sister. “You are so talented. I’m coming to you next time I need a dress.”

Ana looked awkward as Eva lent forward and kissed her cheek. “Err, Happy New Year,” she said, kissing her sister back.

“Come on Daddy, you need to give Ana a kiss to say Happy New Year,” Olivia said, dragging Ana over to where he was seated. Ana looked decidedly uncomfortable.

A blush covered Ana’s neck and cheeks. Andrew lent forward, dropping a kiss on her cheek. “You look beautiful,” he whispered, inhaling her perfume, his body hyper-aware of her presence. He hated what their relationship had become over the past week. If he could take back Christmas night, he would. He could only hope that over time, the awkwardness that sat between them would dissipate.

Without saying another word, Ana turned and left, Andrew unable to take his eyes off her. It was only when he looked up; he realised Eva was observing him.

“She’sbeautiful,” Eva said to him.

“Yes, she is. She will enjoy herself tonight.”

“You can’t fool me, Andrew Dennison,” Eva said, laughing. Olivia returned before he could say anything in his defence. His ex-wife simply smirked at him.

“Can we play a board game?” Olivia asked, jumping up and down in excitement. Since Ana had joined their family, board games had become the family go-to.

“Of course,” Andrew said, happy for the distraction. Maybe a board game would take his mind off Ana and what she and her friends were going to get up to. “Why don’t you set it up? Mummy and I will join you in a moment.”

“You have feelings for her?” Eva said once Olivia had left the room.

“That is not any of your business,” Andrew snapped, before back peddling. None of this was Eva’s fault. He shouldn’t take his frustration out on her. “The point is mute; I am way too old for her.”

Eva held up her hands. “For one; my little sister is my business. I have ignored her welfare for too long. Stood back while she suffered at the hands of our father.” Eva dropped her gaze. “I know I’m out of line. You’ve been kind enough to let me in, but Andrew, Ana is complex, more complex and locked away than you will ever know.” Eva closed her eyes and sighed. “What I want to say is, please don’t give up on her. She cares for you, anyone can see that. The way she looks at you when she thinks no-one is looking, that isn’t someone who doesn’t have feelings… Take it from someone who knows.” A sadness filtered across Eva’s face, making Andrew wonder who had hurt her.

Olivia returned before he had time to fully analyse her words. He and Eva followed their daughter into the sitting room and began one of many board games until Olivia’s eyes were rolling around in her head. Laughing, they put her to bed before returning to the sitting room.