‘Actually, I think what Ram is trying to say is that hacking is like any other kind of theft,’ she said hurriedly. ‘Like shoplifting or insurance fraud. In the end the costs get passed on to the consumers so everyone loses out.’
Feeling Ram’s gaze on the side of her face, she turned and gave him a quick, tight smile. He nodded, not smiling exactly, but his eyes softened so that for a fraction of a second she almost felt as if they were alone.
Watching the faint flush of colour creep over Nola’s cheeks, Ram felt his throat tighten.
He couldn’t help but admire her. She was nervous—he could hear it in her voice. But she had defended him, and the fact that she cared enough to do that made his head spin, for nobody had ever taken his side. He’d learnt early in life to rely on no one but himself. Some days it felt as though his whole life had been one long, lonely battle.
Not that he’d cared.
Until now.
Until Nola.
But spending time with her over the last few days had been a revelation. Having never cohabited before, he’d expected to find it difficult—boring, even. But he’d enjoyed her company. She was beautiful, smart, funny, and she challenged him. And now she had gone into battle for him, so that the solitude and independence he had once valued so highly seemed suddenly less important. Unnecessary, unwelcome even.
&n
bsp; ‘I’ll have to take your word for it.’ Guy laughed. ‘Like I said, I might be a Walker but I’m not a hotshot businessman like my son.’
Draining his glass, he leaned forward towards Nola.
‘A long time ago I used to be an actor—quite a good one, actually. Right now, though, I’m just a party planner!’
Nola stared at him confusedly. ‘You plan parties?’
‘Ignore him, Nola, he’s just being silly.’ Pandora frowned at her husband, her lips tightening. ‘We’re having a party for our thirtieth wedding anniversary, and Guy’s been helping with some of the arrangements.’
‘Thirty years!’ Nola smiled. ‘That’s wonderful.’
And it was. Only as Ram reached out and adjusted his water glass she felt her smile stiffen, for how did that make him feel? Hearing her sound so enthusiastic about his parents’ thirtieth wedding anniversary when she’d been so fiercely against marrying him.
But then Ram only wanted to marry her because he felt he should, she thought defensively. His parents, on the other hand, had clearly loved each other from the start, and they were still in love now, thirty years later.
‘Oh, you’re so sweet.’ Pandora gave her a pouting pink smile. ‘It’s going to be a wonderful evening, but there’s still so much to sort out. Only apparently my input is not required.’
So that was why she and Guy were so on edge.
Glancing over to see Guy was pouring himself another glass of wine, Nola felt a rush of relief at having finally found an explanation for the tensions around the table.
Guy scowled. ‘You’re right—it’s not.’ He picked up his glass. ‘Doesn’t stop you giving it, though. Which is one of the reasons why there’s still so much to sort out.’
For perhaps a fraction of a second Pandora’s beautiful face hardened, and then almost immediately she was smiling again.
‘I know, darling. But at least we have one less thing to worry about now.’ As Guy gazed at her blankly, she shook her head. ‘Ram’s guest. You are bringing Nola to the party, aren’t you, Ramsay?’
There was a tiny suspended silence.
Nola froze. That aspect of the party hadn’t even occurred to her. But obviously Ram would be going. Her heartbeat resonated in her throat as he turned towards her.
‘Of course.’
Breath pummelled her lungs as he held her gaze, his cool, grey eyes silencing her confusion and shock.
‘She’s looking forward to it—aren’t you, sweetheart?’
She gazed at him in silence, too stunned to reply. Over the last few days she had spent some of the most intense and demanding hours of her life with Ram. She had revealed more to him about herself than to any other person, and she had seen a side to him that few people knew existed.
But his parents’ party was going to be big news, and although it was unlikely anyone would be interested in her on her own, as one half of a couple with Ram...