Every Woman's Dream... But You.

Six

The rest of the day flies by and I'm looking forward to seeing Nikki.
'You need a lift Lily?' Ian's text pings through.
'No, I'm on my bike today.' I reply.
'Can't wait to see you, add an extra desert on the list please, Ian's got a friend coming too.'
'Will do.' I smile, that means Nikki and I will get some time to ourselves to chat and I need her advice. I groan thinking about Tom for the thousandth time that day.
I pack up my stuff and phone James.
"Hi bro, are you able to have the girls tonight? I have a dinner invitation with some friends."
"Yeah of course. It's nice to see you socialising again!" I could practically hear his smile.
"Are you all still on for Sunday BBQ at mine?
"Yes 100%, invite your friends too, let's make it a big party."
"Good idea!" I grin.
"Have a good night sis."
"Will do, bye." I gather my stuff and shut down the computer. I can hear Ian outside, he has a very distinctive laugh.
"Lily. You in there?"
"Yeah, I'm just packing up Ian."
"I got the deserts, you can go straight there."
"Oh ok, do we need anything else?"
"No Lil. See you soon." His footsteps get quieter and quieter and I stick my head out the door, intending to leg it to my bike before I see anyone.
'You staying the night?' Nikki's message read.
'Why not, kids are with my brother so may as well make a night of it.' I grin then add, 'I have a lot to tell you. 😅'
'Oooh, can't wait! Get your ass over here. X 😂'
That's my cue, I lock my office and run to the car park. There really was no need, it seems I'm the last one here.
It's only 10 minutes before I'm at their house and I can see I've beaten Ian to it.
"Nikki, I'm here!" I yell, walking straight in the front door as they've insisted I do.
"In the kitchen babe." She calls back and I'm greeted by a flour covered woman in a frantic panic. I stop and laugh.
"Well this is magazine photo worthy." I chuckle, putting my things down and going to help her. She laughed and throws some flour at me.
"Im very nearly done, Bodhi has a cake sale and silly me volunteered." She throws her arms up in despair.
"Love that! Very suburban mom." I chuckle, helping her wash pots.
"You have gossip anyway? Tell my quick before men arrive!" She laughed.
"Well. It's Tom Hiddleston." I sigh, "he's always there, hovering around and he even came to my house last week and I find him infuriating and rude and I don't want to be around him and then there's those eyes." I groan.
"Oh really." She beamed, "Ian did say he noticed something."
"It's so frustrating cos I can't stand him, but being around him makes me feel things I haven't felt in a long time." I sigh.
"Do you think maybe your not liking him has something to do with not being ready, or maybe guilt?" Nikki asked gently.
"I don't know, everyone seems to fall over their own feet around him, like he's the nicest guy on the planet but then I just see these little things, like shouting at a runner and barging into me and not stopping."
"Yeah but didn't you say that was his sister in hospital?"
"Yeah. That's why he said he came over to my house." I shrug, not hearing the front door.
"Why not go for it, you can't protect your heart forever."
"I don't want to, he's so infuriating to be around and it's really annoying me that every time I see him I don't know if I want to punch him or kiss him." I growl in frustration.
"Sounds like you should do both." Tom's voice makes me freeze. SHIT!
I glance at Nikki who's trying not to laugh.
"Sorry babe. I guess I should've found out who was coming." She whispered. "You've not said his name, he probably won't know it's him."
True. If my blushes don't give it away.
"Bloody hell Nikki." I sigh before raising my voice to address the men, "I hope you've not forgotten desert since you insisted I didn't bring any." I turn to face them holding several boxes, both grinning. They knew. Of course they knew.
"Of course." Ian grinned, raising his eyebrows and grinning teasingly as he handed me a boxful of delicious looking deserts, "Tom knew this beautiful little bakery and so voila."
"Hi Tom, nice to see you again, would you like a glass of wine, or a beer?"
"Wine please." He is still smiling but shyly now and keeps glancing across at me.
"Red or white?"
"White please."
"Ok, go and sit, nachos just need a couple of minutes so let me know when your hungry. Anyone got a film preference?"
I see Ian's mischievous grin as he glanced at the rest of us, "I think we should watch Thor."
I roll my eyes at him and walk into the other room.
"Who was she talking about?" I hear Tom ask.
"Now I'm not one to share gossip Tom." She laughed and I could tell from her tone that she's given him some kind of signal that it was him. Thanks a bunch Nikki.
"Lily. Can you fish out the dvd box, sorry it's on top of the bookcase." Ian calls to me.
"Sure." I look up at the top of the bookcase, ok that's pretty tall, I'm going to need a chair to stand on. I notice a chair in the corner and place it in front of the bookcase.
It's a bit wobbly but I manage to get the box in hand before I feel a crack. Oh shit! I wobble in panic and then feel strong hands on my sides, steadying me. Glancing down, I see Tom. Of course. I blush.
"Thanks, I probably should have chosen a chair that's a bit more secure." I chuckle as I step down, box in hand.
I put the box down on the bottom shelf of the bookcase and turn to face him, he's still got his hands on my waist and that temptation strikes me again.
"Fortunately no hospital trips today." I laugh and push him sideways out of the way to pass him in a casual manner as if I hadn't just wanted to jump his bones.
"Ian, you nearly killed me." I shouted, "but the dvds are safe." I laugh.
"How about Thor?" Tom asks quietly.
"To watch tonight?" I'm surprised he's agreed, "Won't you find that a bit weird?"
"Not really. It's a long time ago now, might be nice to see it again."
"Erm. Well sure ok." Now was not the time to admit I am a marvel fanatic and have seen all the films multiple times.
"That's sorted then. I'll go tell Ian and Nikki." He slides past me, putting his hands on my hips again as he does and I feel a furious blush creep up so I turn my back on him once he's past. Bloody hell!
I sit down on one of the two sofas and get comfy.