Page 2 of The Legend of Lovers Hollow
“Ah,” I interrupt in the hope of avoiding an argument. And because Wally looks like he’s in quite a bit of distress now. “Wally, this isn’t school. You don’t have to ask permission. If you need to use the bathroom, just go. I mean, obviously, don’t justgo.” I point to his trousers. “I mean, you know, go.” I hike my thumb over my shoulder towards the door.
“Thank you!” The breath rushes out of him in relief.
He scurries across the stage towards the stairs, but in his haste, he trips over the corner of his cloak. My mouth falls open as he barrels into John the Maid, who stumbles, catching his own heel on his gown. Aggie’s eyes widen but she can’t move quick enough to get out of the way, and the two men crash into her.
The three of them collapse in a pile with an almighty clang and pieces of armour skitter across the stage. One of the freestanding backgrounds teeters alarmingly, and even as I open my mouth to shout out a warning, it slowly topples forward on top of the three upturned, wide-eyed faces.
“Oh my god!” I dart forward, Mr Pennington hot on my heels, and race up the stairs and across the stage. Between the two of us, we lift the backdrop and prop it up against the back wall. “Are you hurt?” I reach for the first person I can see, who happens to be Wally.
“I’m okay. I’m s-so sorry, it was my fault,” he stammers, his previously pink cheeks now burning bright red.
Wally scrambles to try and right himself, but as he’s draped over John the Maid’s back, he just ends up looking like he’s trying to hump the man. Poor Aggie is on the bottom of the pileup, only distinguishable by the arms and legs sticking out from beneath our mountain man of a cleaner.
Mr Pennington and I help Wally up, and John the Maid rolls to the side. “Are you alright, Aggie?” he asks before I can.
“I think you broke my sword,” she wheezes, then lifts her arm. The blade of the weapon she’s still gripping in one hand is now bent at an odd angle. “I bet William Wallace never had to put up with this shite,” she grumbles as I struggle to help her into a sitting position. With that armour on, she’s like an upturned turtle.
“I’m fine.” She removes her helmet and takes a deep breath, knocking it against her breastplate. “This getup may be heavy and uncomfortable, but it fucking works. Might have to consider wearing it full time around young Wally here.”
“I’m so sorry,” he says again, looking absolutely mortified and still jiggling uncomfortably on the spot.
“What the hell is going on here?” A loud, familiar voice echoes across the room.
My heart starts to do a glorious chorus-line can-can, and a wide smile breaks across my face. I twist around so quickly I almost lose my balance, and when I catch sight of the object of my affection— “Morgan!”
I leap off the stage and take off at a run, then launch myself into his arms and wrap my arms and legs around him like a monkey.
My gorgeous boyfriend stumbles back a couple of steps, his hands instinctively cupping my arse to stop me from falling—and to have a quick grope, I hope. He opens his mouth to say something, but I don’t give him a chance. I’m too happy to see him.
Seriously, if I had a tail, it would be wagging.
Instead, I plant one on him, groaning a little too lasciviously for the workplace, but I can’t help myself. I love the taste and feel of his mouth, his full lips, the rasp of his midafternoon stubble against my chin.
He indulges me for an all-too-brief moment of madness, but being a bit more professional than me when in front of staff, he pulls back and sets me on my feet. After pressing a soft, more chaste kiss to my lips, his lips curve into a half smile.
“You’re home.” I beam up at him. “I missed you.”
“Missed you too, sunshine.” He smoothes my collar down and straightens the shiny manager badge on my new suit jacket. “Now, do you want to tell me what on earth you’re all up to?” He nods towards the makeshift stage.
I take his hand and give it a tug to get him moving. “Come on, I’ll show you.” He lets me lead him over to the stage, where the others continue helping Aggie to her feet. That armour is no joke. “We’re putting on a show for the new guests.”
“A show?” His gaze falls on Wally, who’s still holding himself and now practically dancing on the spot like a toddler. “Who’s that?”
“That’s Wally, he’s new. He’s a waiter, but he kinda helps us with a bit of everything until we can afford to take on more staff. Plus, he agreed to live-in as part of his wages, so that helps keep the costs to a minimum.”
Wally hurries in the direction of the stage steps only to trip over his own feet and stumble several paces forward.
Morgan turns to me, one brow raised. “He’s a waiter? You trust him to carry trays of piping hot food and breakable items?”
I smile. “He’s lovely.”
“Ellis,” he sighs. “Lovely is not a qualification. Does he have any hospitality experience?”
“Well, not exactly, but as I am the manager now, it’s my call. I’m sure he’ll fit in just fine.” I tap my shiny new badge and wink at him. “How was your trip?”
“Boring, endless meetings with dull board members who love the sound of their own voices, and don’t change the subject.” He frowns and I just want to kiss that grumpy mouth all over again.
There’s a squeak followed by a startled cry, and Morgan and I turn our heads in time to see Wally step on a piece of armour that I think had been on Aggie’s arm. He skids to the edge of the platform and, windmilling his arms in an attempt to regain his balance, clutches the first available thing.