A Virgin for a Vow

A woman in love.

‘I guess there’s no accounting for chemistry,’ Abby said. Isn’t that the truth? ‘When it strikes it strikes and there’s little you can do to stop it.’

CHAPTER EIGHT

THEY CONTINUED ALONG the street until they came to an exclusive cocktail lounge Abby had heard heaps about but never visited. Luke led Abby inside and they were soon seated at a velvet-covered sofa in a private corner.

Abby swept her gaze over the beautiful décor and wanted to pinch herself. She’d always wanted to come in here but it had always been out of her price range.

‘What do you fancy?’ Luke asked, handing her the drinks menu. ‘A cocktail and peanuts or something more substantial?’

What I really fancy is you.

‘Gosh, this place is amazing. Look at the list of food. And I’ve never heard of some of these cocktails. It makes me want to try them, just to see. I guess my diet can wait another day.’

He gave Abby a mock stern look. ‘If I hear you say the word diet ever again I will not be answerable for the consequences.’

Abby gave him a quizzical look. ‘You don’t believe in diets?’

‘Firstly, diets have a woefully high failure rate,’ he said. ‘Most people lose weight and as soon as they stop the diet they put it all back on again and more. And, secondly, you look fine just the way you are.’

‘Thank you for saying that.’ Abby reached across the table for his hand. ‘I’ve struggled for years with body image.’

His warm, strong fingers wrapped around hers, sending a wave of longing through her. ‘You have a beautiful body.’

She gave him an on-off smile and lowered her gaze to their joined hands. How nice would it be if a ring Luke had bought her was on her finger instead of that ridiculous fake?

After a while the waiter brought their drinks and a tasting plate of delicious food to share. Abby sat back and started on her cocktail, which seemed to go straight to her head, or maybe that was because of the way Luke kept looking at her as if he was reliving every moment of their lovemaking. She looked at the pattern around the edge of the tasting plate rather than meet his gaze. ‘I guess not having parents around who loved me unconditionally has messed with my self-esteem.’

‘Understandable, given what you’ve been through.’

Abby sighed. ‘I’ve always been a bit jealous of Ella, you know. Growing up with two parents, well, at least one highly functioning one and a big brother to boot. That’s why I made up so much stuff about my background and never told her the truth. As far as I’m concerned, that girl with the dodgy parents no longer exists.’

His eyes were warm with understanding. ‘I think you underestimate Ella, but I hear what you’re saying.’ A shadow drifted through his gaze. ‘I haven’t told anyone I broke up with Kimberley that night. No one but you, that is.’

Abby put her cocktail glass down. ‘Do you think she told anyone? I mean, before she got…?’

‘Not that I’m aware of.’ He shifted the base of his cocktail glass a quarter turn. ‘There was a window of a couple of hours after she left my place and the accident. She might’ve just sat in her car and cried, for all I know.’

Abby could understand why he felt so crushingly guilty. How could he tell everyone they had broken up two hours before Kimberley’s tragic death? What would it have achieved except more hurt for the poor girl’s family? And, even if he had told them, wouldn’t it have heaped even more blame on his shoulders that he didn’t deserve? Couples broke up every day. Every minute or second across the world, people were ending their relationships. How could Luke have possibly known by ending his relationship with Kimberley she would be involved in a car crash a couple of hours later? It just wasn’t possible.

And it certainly wasn’t his fault.

But it made her realise how deeply sensitive Luke was underneath the gruff front he presented to the world. He’d thought deeply about how Kimberley’s family would suffer even more heartache if they thought he had no longer wanted to be with her.

‘Was she terribly upset when she left your place?’

His features clouded with the memory. ‘That’s another thing I’ve never really understood. She wasn’t all that upset. I got the feeling she knew I was going to end things that day. I even thought she seemed… I don’t know…relieved somehow. And yet…’ He gave his head a little shake. ‘Maybe I just wasn’t good at reading her mood. I keep asking myself, did I listen to her? Did I hear what she wasn’t saying instead of what she was?’