Taking a proffered champagne flute, she backed away until she was on the other side of the gathering, all the while acutely conscious that his eyes were on her. Tracking her.
And then he moved his gaze to the group, that dazzling smile back on his face, leaving her feel oddly bereft.
‘My little sister, Major Mathilda Brigham, soon to be Lieutenant-Colonel Mathilda Brigham.’ Hayden raised his glass at last, ensuring his voice could be heard over the deep pulse of the nightclub bass line. ‘To Mattie.’
‘To Mattie,’ the handful of friends echoed.
As the group began to split, Bridget watched Hayden chatting proudly to his sister, unable to drag her gaze from his profile. What was it about him that captivated her most? she wondered. Was it as simple as the stark beauty of his physique, or was it more the way he held himself, or the ease of his body language? She couldn’t work it out.
She was still staring when a shadow fell across her vision moments before one of the other guys in the group stepped in front of her. Effectively blocking off her self-indulgent ogling.
‘Bridget, isn’t it?’
It took her a moment to pull herself together.
‘Yes.’ She even managed a smile. The one she’d perfected over the past decade—the one that convinced people she was fine.
‘I’m Ellis.’
‘Hi.’ She shook his outstretched hand. ‘You’re army too? Like Mattie?’
And Hayden. But for some reason she didn’t add that bit.
‘Yeah. I’ve done a couple of tours with Mattie over the years. You’re a civilian doctor?’
‘Nurse,’ Bridget corrected, softening it with another smile.
Another mask to hide her regret at not being able to go to university to study medicine. Oh, she’d got the grades, but when she’d told her mother about her plans to move away from home, another breakdown had ensued, and Bridget had never broached the topic again.
‘Oh.’ The guy seemed surprised. ‘Sorry, I’d just assumed... Anyway, Mattie holds you in high regard.’
This time, at least, the smile was more genuine.
‘The feeling is mutual.’
‘Yeah, Mattie’s cool.’ He grinned. ‘But enough about our mutual friend. Can I interest you in a dance?’
‘You want to dance?’ It was too late to bite the words back. ‘With me?’
First Hayden, now this guy. It had to be the dress. Mattie’s dress. It wasn’t her.
‘I rather thought it might be a good plan, especially as we’re in a nightclub. I don’t know about you but us lot don’t get that much chance for a night out like this.’
‘No, Hayden was saying that earlier.’ She bit her lip, wondering if lust was etched into every line on her face.
‘You and Hayd have something...going on?’
‘No.’ She shook her head quickly. Maybe too quickly.
Bridget fought to smooth her face and offer a nonchalant shrug.
‘I’m with the charity working near where his army unit will be working.’
‘Operation Ironplate?’
‘I guess.’ As though she wasn’t burning to learn anything new about Hayd. ‘Like I said, I’m with the charity.’
Could the guy—Ellis—hear her heart hammering in her chest? She felt as though it was about to pound its way out, but he didn’t seem to notice, so maybe she was okay.