‘Come and meet Greg, my sailing partner.’ He waved a hand in her direction. ‘And taste my punch.’
Dutifully she walked across to where he was standing, wondering whether she should have dressed up a bit more. She’d chosen to wear a pair of white shorts teamed with her favourite black sleeveless T-shirt. It was perfect for a warm evening, although hardly formal. But, then, Mark wasn’t dressed formally either. He’d thrown on a pair of khaki shorts and a white T-shirt that clung to the powerful muscles of his shoulders. Despite his casual dress, he looked overwhelmingly handsome and Holly had noticed several of the women casting surreptitious looks in his direction.
She felt a rush of annoyance. The man was supposed to be engaged, for goodness’ sake! No wonder Mark had problems—women couldn’t seem to leave him alone!
‘Hello, there.’ She smiled at the good-looking blonde man standing by Mark’s side and he narrowed his eyes and nodded slowly.
‘Well, now everything is clear.’
Holly looked blank. ‘I don’t understand—what’s clear?’
‘The reason Mark was looking so stressed and now seems so relaxed.’ Greg shot Mark a sly grin. ‘If I’d been separated from a woman like this one, I would have been depressed, too.’
Holly blushed, feeling like a total fraud, but Mark just laughed and pulled her into his arms, giving her a huge hug.
‘Absolutely. She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?’ He smiled into her eyes and for a wild moment she thought that he was going to give her the kiss that he’d been threatening, but he released her, turning back to Greg with an easy smile. ‘So, how are you getting on with Caroline? I saw you talking to her the other day.’
‘Mark!’ Holly was aghast. ‘Stop interfering with other people’s love lives.’
Mark grinned and stirred the punch. ‘Just call me Cupid.’
‘I could think of a less flattering name,’ Greg said mildly, bending down and extracting a beer from the cool-bag. ‘And I hardly need to remind you that Caroline and I were getting on nicely until you arrived on the scene.’
Mark cleared his throat and looked embarrassed. ‘I’m sorry. It wasn’t exactly my fault—’
‘I know that.’ Greg gave a wry smile and a fatalistic shrug. ‘Which is why I’m drinking this beer and not pouring it down your neck. And the answer to your question is, yes, I was talking to her the other day. The truth is she’s still pretty upset about you and Holly. I suppose she feels rejected again, but I’m gently reminding her that you never had a relationship in the first place.’
‘Thanks, Greg. I owe you.’ Mark gave him a brief smile and Holly leaned forward and helped herself to a small glass of punch.
‘Don’t you mind that she has a crush on Mark?’
‘Holly, every female round here has a crush on Mark,’ Greg said calmly, taking a gulp of beer and squinting slightly into the evening sun. ‘You’re probably the one that ought to mind.’
Holly shrugged and smiled. ‘I’m used to it,’ she said honestly. ‘Girls have been attacking him since we were in primary school together. Nothing’s changed.’
‘I can well believe it.’ Greg finished his beer and tossed the can into the bin. ‘Anyway, I think Caroline is getting over it. She realises that everything was just in her head. Pass me another beer, Mark.’
Mark frowned. ‘Why are you drinking beer instead of my punch?’
‘Because I’ve seen what you’ve put in that punch,’ Greg drawled, his blue eyes gleaming, ‘and I need to be able to walk home in a straight line later. I’ve got my reputation to think of.’
There was general laughter and soon the evening was filled with delicious smells from the barbecue, friendly chatter and light music.
Holly tucked into barbecued chicken wings and hot sweetcorn dripping with melted butter.
‘You’ve got butter on your chin.’ Mark chuckled softly and wiped her face with a napkin. ‘How’s that punch? Need a top-up?’
Holly shook her head. ‘No way! If I drink any more I won’t be able to stand! Now I know why Greg chose the lager.’
A little distance away she could see Caroline watching them and suddenly her appetite vanished.
‘What’s wrong?’ Mark frowned down at her and then nodded grimly. ‘On second thoughts, don’t tell me. I can guess. She’s watching us, isn’t she?’
‘Mark—’
‘Come on, let’s go for a walk.’ Without waiting for her answer, he took her plate and deposited it on a trestle table then slipped an arm round her shoulders, guiding her further onto the beach.
‘Where are we going?’ Knowing that people were watching them, Holly felt her face heat.