Page 89 of Just Like in the Movies

‘I told you that was the longest damn melodrama in movie history,’ he said.

And she laughed. ‘I’d have to agree with you now.’

She snuggled into his side, closed her eyes as his hand settled on her hair.

‘Did you iron your hair, too? Like Babs in the movie?’ he asked.

She smiled, so he had been paying attention. ‘I borrowed Jacie’s straighteners,’ she said, round a yawn.

‘Go to sleep,’ he said, dropping a gentle kiss on her forehead.

She wanted to ask him if he would still be here in the morning but chose not to, in case the answer ruined her happy ending.

So she allowed her mind to drift, and let her body float. Accepting the fact that whatever happened tomorrow, she would always have this perfect night for the rest of her life.

PART FIVE

The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

Ruby’s verdict: Love is powerful, even in its darkest hour. And especially if you’re trapped behind a waterfall with Daniel Day-Lewis. The most important thing to remember is to be strong, because you will survive, no matter how hard it is.

Luke’s verdict: Never underestimate the woman you love. However tough you think you are, chances are she’s tougher.

Chapter 19

‘Luke, you’re still here?’

Luke glanced up from his phone to see Ruby standing in the doorway to her small living room. He steeled himself against the warmth swelling in his chest, making his throat ache.

Damn, but she was gorgeous to look at first thing in the morning. Her hair all mussed, her eyes sleepy, her skin flushed, her body barely covered by the silky robe she usually threw on to make them breakfast.

Her face was a picture of conflicting emotions. Relief and hope and happiness, all flitted across her open features, letting him see every one.

‘And you’re wearing a suit,’ she added, as her gaze roamed over his clothing.

He’d woken an hour ago, tiptoed out of her bed and down the fire escape then walked to his house in Notting Hill in his costume from last night – the house he’d only visited to change clothes in the last couple of weeks until the night before last. He’d packed and changed, arranged to have the costume Jacie had hired for him left with the rental shop and the house keys deposited with the agent, then booked a car and driver for the day. He hadn’t planned to return to The Royale. He’d already drafted an email to send to Ruby this afternoon with the details of the settlement he had put together after his conversation with Jacie yesterday afternoon. It had been Jacie’s idea he come to the screening, and he hadn’t even hesitated. He’d wanted to do it. Ruby deserved that moment of acknowledgement.

But as the driver turned on to Talbot Road on his way to the West End, he’d thought of Ruby still blissfully asleep, and he hadn’t been able to drive past The Royale.

As a result, the clean break he’d been hoping for had been screwed.

But right now, absorbing Ruby’s glorious bed hair and the jiggle of her curves under the barely-there robe for the last time, he couldn’t regret it. He wanted to remember her this way, always.

Although he wished he hadn’t put that desperate hope in her eyes.

‘I’ve got a few meetings this morning—’

‘You have meetings on a Sunday?’ she interrupted.

‘Yeah.’ He forced himself to continue. ‘Then I’m catching an afternoon flight to JFK.’

She blinked, and the hope died. He wanted to kick himself. Last night had been a dumb idea – selfish and self-indulgent. He didn’t want her to be sad.

‘I see,’ she said, but then her lips lifted in a determined smile. ‘Shall I cook you breakfast before you leave?’ she asked.

He lifted the bag of almond pastries he’d picked up from the bakery next door after deciding to get out of the car. ‘I bought supplies, so we could talk.’

The sunny smile which had been way too sunny dimmed. ‘What do you want to talk about?’