‘I don’t know.’ He frowned, then slowly began to smile. ‘And what’s more I don’t care. I really don’t.’
‘I need to sit down,’ she said shakily.
He led her into the dressing room and pulled her onto his lap, his arms curving around her body so tightly that she could feel his heart beating in time to hers.
‘You’re an incredible magician, Teddie.’
Leaning back into his chest, she felt her face grow warm. ‘Thank you. It went really well. But Elliot and I are definitely going to have to find some other acts to keep it fresh. Maybe a hypnotist—people always love watching that.’
‘Maybe I could have a go. I’ve been practising a trick.’
His eyes were warm and steady on her face.
‘You have?’
‘You can never have too much magic in your life.’
His gaze drifted slowly over her face and she felt her pulse start to accelerate.
‘Well, you can certainly audition.’
‘Right now?’
‘Okay.’ She laughed. ‘Do you have a stage name?’
He shook his head. ‘I don’t think I’m going to need one. It’s going to be a one-off performance.’
She smiled. ‘So what trick are you going to do?’
‘It’s one I made up myself.’
His face was soft and unguarded and she stared at him, transfixed by the glitter in his dark gaze.
‘It’s called the reverse disappearing ring.’
‘Do you want me to tell you when to start?’
His eyes locked onto hers and she felt her blood lighten as he shook his head.
‘No need. I’m done.’
She frowned, and then as he lifted her hand she felt her heart open up as she gazed down at the beautiful emerald ring on her finger.
‘It was a bit last-minute in Vegas,’ he said hoarsely. ‘But I wanted to do it right this time.’
‘I love it,’ she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. ‘And I love you.’
‘I love you too.’ Dipping his head, he kissed her gently. ‘More than I ever believed I could love anyone. So much more. And it’s going to be so good between us.’
Reaching up, she stroked his cheek. ‘Do you promise?’
‘Oh, yeah,’ he said slowly.
And she believed him because she could see the certainty and love he was feeling reflected in his eyes as he lowered his mouth to kiss her again.
EPILOGUE
DESPITE THE WEATHER forecast predicting rain, the clouds emptied from the sky just as the limousine turned slowly into Broad Street. Glancing up at the sun, and then back down to the diamond ring on her third finger, Teddie smiled. She knew from personal experience that predicting the future was an extremely unreliable business.