‘You’re very welcome as long as you promise not to give your opinion.’
He lifted an eyebrow. ‘My opinion isn’t valued?’
‘Not by a twelve-year-old girl at boarding school,’ Libby said dryly. ‘I know what she needs.’
‘And I don’t?’
‘You’re a man,’ Libby drawled, and Andreas gave her a smile so sexy that it melted her bones.
‘I am indeed, Libby. And I’m glad you’ve noticed.’
Libby swallowed. Oh, she’d definitely noticed. It was hard not to.
The next three weeks passed so quickly that Libby barely had time to think. The ward was incredibly busy and Andreas was working so hard that she often went several days without seeing him, which was a relief because it made it easier to keep her mind on the job and not start dreaming about things she couldn’t have.
They picked Adrienne up from school on the Saturday of the ball and drove into the centre of London.
‘We’re going to start by sorting out your hair,’ Libby said, turning in her seat so that she could look at the child. ‘I’m taking you to the best hairdresser in town.’
Adrienne’s eyes widened and she lifted a hand to her unruly mop. ‘I’ve never really had it cut before. I’ve just been growing it long.’
And it was badly out of condition and desperately needed shaping, Libby reflected, although she kept those thoughts to herself.
‘We won’t cut it short,’ Libby assured her. ‘Trust me. It’ll look great.’
She directed Andreas through some back streets and then showed him where to park.
‘I’m amazed that there’s somewhere to park this close to the centre,’ Andreas observed, and Libby grinned.
‘It’s only for very valued customers. And I am a very, very valued customer.’
Andreas ran his eyes over her gleaming blonde curls and gave a wry smile. ‘I’ll bet you are.’
‘A girl has to look after her crowning glory,’ Libby said airily, pushing open the door of the exclusive salon.
She walked confidently across the marble floor and approached the reception desk.
‘Morning, Francesca. Is Mario around?’
The girl glanced up and her face brightened as she recognised Libby. ‘Well, hi, there!’ A puzzled look crossed her face and she checked her computer screen. ‘We weren’t expecting you today, were we?’
‘Not exactly.’ Libby dealt her a winning smile. ‘I’m after a favour.’
An extremely slim man wearing a pair of skin-tight, imitation crocodile-skin trousers minced across the salon towards her.
‘Elizabeth Westerling, please tell me that this favour isn’t happening on a Saturday.’
‘Hi, Mario.’ Libby followed and kissed him on both cheeks. ‘You’ll have fun, trust me.’
The man gave a dramatic groan and wiped a hand across his brow. ‘It’s Saturday, Libby. My busiest day. Everyone is clamouring for my attention—’
‘But I’m not everyone,’ Libby reminded him with a sunny smile that drew a wistful sigh from the salon owner.
‘How can I refuse you?’ He spread his hands in a gesture of surrender and then froze as he noticed Andreas for the first time. His hands dropped to his sides and he took a step backwards, his eyes raking appreciatively over the other man’s broad shoulders and powerful physique. ‘Introduce me to your friend, Libby. Immediately.’
Libby laughed. ‘Hands off.’
Mario’s gaze lingered regretfully on Andreas whose expression was comical.
‘Relax,’ Libby said, still laughing. ‘He’s a brilliant hairdresser. The best.’
Mario was pacing the floor of his salon. ‘Already I have your sister Katherine booked in and you know how fussy she is. Her hair has to look exactly so.’
‘You’ve been doing Katy’s hair for years,’ Libby pointed out patiently. ‘It won’t take you any time at all. Now, listen.’ She grabbed Adrienne’s hand and pulled her forward. ‘Mario, do you remember when I was thirteen?’
Mario shuddered at the recollection. ‘You were all pouts and teenage rebellion and your hair never behaved itself. Not like your sister’s.’
‘Absolutely.’ Libby smiled happily. ‘Well, I’ve got another ripe case of teenage rebellion for you here. She’s having trouble at school, Mario. I want you to transform her. She’s going to be cool and a trendsetter by the time she leaves your salon.’
Andreas sucked in a breath and started to protest but Libby placed a hand on his chest.
‘You promised not to interfere, remember? What do you say, Mario? Will you do it?’