Still Thinking of You (42 page)
Read Still Thinking of You Online
Authors: Adele Parks
‘Is this the point where our friends and the Registrar jump out from behind the trees and throw confetti?’
‘No, babe. I didn’t dare presume,’ said Rich. Did he dare now? Was she saying what he thought she was saying? ‘They are waiting for us back at the hotel,’ he added sheepishly.
‘The rule about keeping it good, no secrets, no lies, just 100 per cent respect and honesty?’
‘Reinstated, Tash. As of now.’ Rich stared into Tash’s open face, and he willed her to take the plunge because he knew it was the right thing for them both. He knew that he would put every iota of his strength and soul into making her happy. Ever after. Tash smiled.
‘OK,’ and then more firmly, ‘yes, yes, I’ll marry you, Rich.’
Thank You
Once again I’d like to thank my editor, Louise Moore, and the entire team at Penguin for continuing to make my dreams come true. You are such a warm, committed and enthusiastic bunch.
Thank you Jonny Geller, Deborah Schneider and Carol Jackson, who are outstanding agents and friends.
Thank you to the staff at Hôtel des Dromonts à Avoriaz, all of whom ensured that research had never been so pleasurable! Particular thanks to Mehdi Dehmane, Assistant Manager, who was amazingly patient, helpful and hospitable. Your pride in des Dromonts is completely justified, and I only hope that I have done justice to this stunning hotel.
Thank you to Christelle Lacombe, Manageress at Avoriaz Tourist Office, for your time and expertise.
Thank you to all the lovely readers who have sent me e-mails and letters, and all the lovely readers who haven’t written, but have bought my books. Without you this whole process would be pointless.
Thanks to my family and friends, who continue to overwhelm me with their support and love.
And, thanks to Jim. Oh, for lots of things: for teaching me to snowboard and giving me marvellous insight into ‘boy thinking’ and for wearing T-shirts to tell people to buy my books, for believing in me, caring for me and for loving me. You make my days joyful.
Table of Contents
1. Rich and Tash
2. Meeting and Greeting
3. Introducing Kate and Ted
4. Introducing Jason and Mia
5. Polite Small Talk
6. Mia’s Bomb
7. Clearing Up
8. Lloyd
9. Tash’s Reaction to the Dublin Trip
10. NFI and RSVP
11. Ted’s Baby Sister, Jayne
12. Departures
13. Jayne’s Pain
14. Up, Up and Away
15. Flying High
16. Touchdown
17. Arriving
18. Appetites
19. Good Times
20. Hanging on the Telephone
21. Not so Polite Small Talk
22. It’s Cold Outside
Sunday
23. Slippery Slope
24. Ladies at Lunch
25. 95 Per Cent Honesty
26. Bar Flies
27. Another Night in Paradise
28. Minuscule Talk
29. Sleigh Ride
30. Not Tonight, Darling
Monday
31. Not So Good Morning
32. Jason’s New Love Interest
33. Black Run Monday
34. Kicking Back
35. Hot Water
36. Après-Ski
37. Ted’s Story
38. Showtime
39. A Big Joke
40. Lost the Plot
Tuesday
41. The Morning After
42. Rich and Jayne’s Story
43. Alone Together
44. Retail Therapy
45. A Lot to Digest
46. The Bar Scene
47. Alone at Last
48. Cold Comfort
49. Kiki
50. Kate’s Response
Wednesday
51. What Kate Did Next
52. Big Breakfast
53. Put the Kettle on
54. In the Deep Stuff
55. In the Library
56. Rich and the Barman
57. Rich and Jayne Share a Bloody Mary
58. Rich and Tash Share a Bloody Mary
59. Jase and Mia Have Dinner
60. Jase and Mia, Again
61. Drunk and Sentimental
Thursday
62. The Hideaway
63. Face the Music
64. Jayne’s Rampage
65. Jayne’s Reveal
66. Jason’s Reasoning
67. Tash Packs
68. Girlfriends
69. Lloyd’s Cavalry
70. Tash’s Advice
Friday
71. Something Blue
72. Fresh Tracks