"Of course I do, but-"

He placed a finger over my lips. "Ah dadadadadada. So, you trust me. That much we've established. Now for the next question. Well, it's not really a question... it's more of a statement."

"Alec!" I mumbled around his finger.

"Okay. I am buying this dress. Call it your early Christmas gift. But I will take no protests. You are my family. And I won't take no for an answer. Besides, with what your boss pays you, there's no way you can afford anything but a carrier bag from this boutique."

I c.o.c.ked my head to the side. "But you are the boss who pays me."

He leaned forward and kissed my head. "Yes, and I think you deserve a raise. Now come on."

He pushed open the door and pulled me along beside him. Suddenly I felt like Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman. I was a fish out of water, and there was no doubt about that. The major difference in this story, however, was that the owner was wonderful. Very friendly and eager to help.

Between them, Alec and the owner, Cynthia, pulled out four dresses for me to try. They were all absolutely stunning. But I was way out of my depth. I much preferred my shredded jeans and off shoulder T-shirts, while letting my dyed hair fall s.h.a.ggily around my shoulders.

The final dress I tried was a floor-length, black strapless number with a boned bodice and crystals at the left hip. I had never worn anything like it. Ever. But as soon as Cynthia zipped me into it and turned me around to face the full-length mirror, I almost fainted. She had handed me a pair of black satin stiletto pumps and pulled my hair into a rough 'up-do'. For the first time in my life, I looked and felt sophisticated. Demure. Cla.s.sy. Somehow, the dress made my tattoos look even more beautiful, and my eyes began to sting.

Cynthia clasped her hands in front of her face and sighed dreamily. "I think we've found the dress, Star, my dear."

I opened and closed my mouth a few times as if gasping for air. "I...I... Sheesh, I have no words."

She smiled at my reflection. "Then we have definitely found the dress. Go show your friend." She gestured excitedly at the curtain that led out to the shop floor.

I stepped through the curtain and felt like a movie star as my feet landed on the red carpet of the boutique.

Alec gasped and his eyes widened. "Well, slap me silly and call me straight." His response made me giggle, and I dabbed at the salt water in the corners of my eyes.

I sniffed. "You like it? Do you think Fin will like it, too?"

"Twinkle, if he doesn't want to rip that thing off you right away then he really is gay."

"Great. But the price tag, Alec. It's... I can't let you-"

He made a clamping gesture with his hand. "Shhht. What did I say to you? I'm not taking no for an answer." Cynthia came out and stood beside me with a wide smile on her sweet face. "Cynth, we'll take the shoes and a little black clutch too."

"Alec-" My attempt at a protest was met with an infamous Alec scowl. It was the warning expression that came just before he blew up and so I backed down and vowed to pay him back somehow. Someday.

Star Why is it that things we look forward to take an age to arrive, yet the things we're dreading or scared about seem to be here in the blink of an eye? In the past days and weeks, I felt myself hurtling towards the night of the ball like a runaway train. Wishing I had some kind of time machine or at least a method to slow things down a little. But sadly, my wishes were all in vain and so there I was all too soon, standing outside the doors to the charity ball venue. My heart tried desperately to vacate my body, and I fought to calm my breathing. This was huge. This was Fin and I at our first official function as a couple. It was all a little too soon, and I was terrified of making a fool of myself.

His parents would be there. Oh, s.h.i.t. His colleagues, too. Alasdair had tried hard to rea.s.sure me in that soothing way he had about him that Fin and I belonged together, and that no amount of being looked down upon by people who should know better could spoil that fact.

I wished I believed him.

My heart was telling me he was right, but my head kept on chipping in with snide comments that took every step forward I had made and shoved them back to square one. I glanced down at my fitted strapless black evening dress and wondered what people would think of me. It was a disconcerting frame of mind that had only affected me since I met Fin, and I didn't like it one bit.

Fin's eyes had nearly popped out when he saw me in the dress for the first time that evening. I was glad I had that effect on him, but standing there, about to step into the unknown, I wanted nothing more than to be at DeBas.e.m.e.nt wearing my ripped jeans and drinking a beer as Fin owned the stage. Colette had sent me some gorgeous make-up, and the glitter powder gave my tattoos a beautiful sheen, but regardless of how I looked on the outside, I was quaking on the inside.

Fin rested his hand at the small of my back, leaned in, and whispered, "You look so f.u.c.king hot, you know? I want to bury my face in your cleavage and stay there."

Shivers tingled from the base of my neck all the way down my spine. My core muscles clenched deliciously, and I wanted nothing more than to take him up on his suggestion. At least that way I would get to go home. I wondered if I clicked my heels together, would it have the desired effect?

He dragged me from my Wizard of Oz daydream by whispering, "No prizes for guessing what I intend to do later."

I gasped and slapped his arm, feigning shock as he chuckled at me. Glancing down at my b.r.e.a.s.t.s where they perched in the fitted bodice, I wondered if maybe it was just a little too much. Too late now, Mendoza. My pink and blonde hair had been sc.r.a.ped into a chignon by the hairdresser recommended to me by Colette. I should have felt sophisticated, but instead, the ink adorning my body and my thick eye make-up screamed to everyone that I didn't belong there. I only had myself to blame, though. I had insisted upon staying true to myself in some way, just as Alasdair and Colette had said I should. Not that Fin would have wanted me to change. He knew I wasn't about to completely transform myself for the event, charity or not. I was still me, and it was me he wanted to be with. And it would fine, so long as I kept repeating that as my mantra.

The double doors were opened, and I nervously glanced around the vast ballroom. Monolithic ice sculptures were placed around the edges of the s.p.a.ce, and circular tables draped in sumptuous heavy jacquard fabric covered half the floor. There was a stage at one end where a small orchestra played cla.s.sical music, and several couples floated around the dance floor already.

Gazing up, I spotted the hefty crystal chandeliers that seemed to defy gravity. They lit the room with a warm glow, sending shards of light this way and that from their faceted surfaces. Men in tailored tuxedos stood around chatting, whilst their female companions a.s.sessed each other's attire, smiling politely every so often while their eyes told a whole different story. The ball gowns were stunning. I couldn't even begin to guess how much money was dancing around the room disguised as taffeta and Swarovski crystal.

Fin gave my hand another rea.s.suring squeeze as Alasdair and Colette appeared before us. Colette wore a deep purple floor-length dress with one shoulder strap that draped elegantly across the delicate bone structure of her shoulder. She was such a stunning woman; so kind and thoughtful too.

She pulled me into a warm hug. "Star, my dear. You look wonderful."

"Thanks, Colette. So do you."

"My, my, Finlay. Your girl looks ravishing tonight." Alasdair took my hand and kissed the back of it. His soft Scottish accent was welcoming and friendly as always, and I was so grateful for that.

Fin pulled me into his side possessively. "Well, I certainly think so." Suddenly, his mood changed. His nostrils flared as his gaze darted anxiously around the room. "Is he... is he here?"

Alasdair grasped Fin's shoulder firmly. "Not yet. Like I said to you before, don't worry. He can't hurt you anymore."

"No, but he can try. And it's that that worries me the most," Fin said through gritted teeth.

Alasdair gave Fin a friendly slap on the back. "It'll be fine. He may not even show. Just enjoy your evening, and show off your beautiful girl, okay?" With that, he kissed me on the cheek and walked over to a group of smartly-attired lawyery types.

Fin smiled down at me and gripped my hand tightly. "Come on, gorgeous. Let's go get some champagne."

Champagne sounded like a great idea, and I was more than happy to partake of a gla.s.s-or several-to calm my nerves. The only problem was that they went down very easily, and I suddenly needed the bathroom. After telling Fin my predicament, he pointed me in the right direction, and I made my way there. Panic surged within me over how I would manage to pee with such a long, tight dress covering the essential parts of my body, but I was determined to be as fast as possible. And then I would be staying put at Fin's side for the rest of the night and limiting my liquid intake.

Suddenly someone stepped into my path, and I almost jumped out of my skin. "So, you're the one, are you?" The man's gravelly, deep voice startled me and stopped me in my tracks. I was face to face with none other than Campbell Hunter.

I scowled at him and shook my head. "Excuse me?"

He oozed animosity, and I cringed inwardly as he stepped forward. "He changed, you know? Virtually as soon as he met you. He changed. And not for the better."

Oh, s.h.i.t. Oh, s.h.i.tty s.h.i.t. "I'm sorry, but I have no clue what-"

He took another step closer and blocked the entrance to the ladies' room. "He ruined the only solid relationship he'd ever had. All because of you. She was more befitting his status." He laughed derisively. "Who the h.e.l.l do you think you are, anyway? An ugly little trollop with badly scribbled tattoos all over and a s.h.i.tty little job serving meagre coffee to those of higher standing, that's what you are. What the h.e.l.l does he see in you?"

My eyes began to sting, but I bit my lip. I wasn't going to let this poor excuse for a man and father see he had upset me and had just pointed out all the things that made me feel inferior and unworthy of Fin. I raised my chin and sneered. "I think you'll find, if you do your research properly, that Fin met me after the issues arose with you and his fiancee. Now, I'm going to the bathroom, so unless you have grown a v.a.g.i.n.a in the last twenty seconds and are going in there yourself, I suggest you get out of my way and allow me to pa.s.s."

His lip curled and he stepped aside. I bashed into the door and let it slam behind me. Once inside, I let out a long, shaking breath and closed myself in a cubicle. Once behind a locked door, the tears began in earnest. My make-up was ruined without a doubt, and my heart was back to vying for freedom from my chest.

The b.a.s.t.a.r.d. The absolute b.a.s.t.a.r.d. How dare he look down on me like that?

Star When I left the bathroom, I did so with a cautious glance left and right. Thankfully, Fin's father was nowhere to be seen. I had managed to rescue my make-up for the most part, but my eyes were puffy, and I wished I could just walk out and go home.

Suddenly, Fin appeared and was walking toward me. "Hey, there you are. Everything okay?" He frowned as he got closer. "You look... you're pale. Have you been crying?"

My lip began to tremble once again, and I fought back the tears. "Oh, no. I'm fine. I somehow managed to get something in my eye. I think it might have been an eyelash. Anyway, it hurt like a mother, and I had to get it out. Oh, the joys of mascara," I joked, unable to look him in the eyes for more than a few seconds.

His a.s.sessing, concerned gaze told me he didn't buy it. There was no wonder. Acting was never my strong suit. "Come on, Star. You forget how well I can read you. What really happened? Did one of the stuck-up b.i.t.c.hes say something to you?"

I sighed deeply, afraid of sounding like a tattle tale. "Your father happened, Fin. But it's okay. I handled it. Kind of."

Fin clenched his jaw. "The b.a.s.t.a.r.d. I'll-"

"No, no you'll do nothing, okay? I know you have my back without you going to make a scene. Let's just enjoy the night...or at least get through it. Okay? Promise me?" His frown and ticking jaw belied his inner turmoil but he forced a smile.

He stepped toward me and enveloped me in his arms. "Hmm. Whatever you say. But if he says anything else I'll punch him. He doesn't get to treat you like s.h.i.t, Star. No one does. I will always have your back." He gripped my hand. "Now, come on. Let's go and have a dance." Relief flooded my veins momentarily until the thought of his father and his cronies sn.i.g.g.e.ring at me attempting to be 'normal' on the dance floor.

I pushed myself away from him. "Oh, I don't really feel like it. I think I'll-"

"Oh, no you don't. Come on, you. I need to show you off."

I rolled my eyes as he dragged me along behind him to where a crowd of people were dancing to Dean Martin's "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face". He pulled me into his arms, and with one hand at the small of my back and the other clutching my hand, he swept me around the dance floor. A wide, handsome smile graced his angular features, and my heart melted as I gazed up at him. In a short period of time this man had somehow become the centre of my universe. It simultaneously scared and excited me, and I feared for my poor heart.

As the song ended and a rumble of applause traversed the room, he caressed my cheek and bent to kiss me gently on the lips. "I think I love you, Star Mendoza."

My breath caught. He had said the words I'd been feeling but dared not utter in case it was too soon. It probably was too soon. Much too soon, but I felt it too. My heart soared, and I suddenly felt like I was floating.

He loves me.

Gazing into his cerulean eyes, I allowed my own feelings to take flight as words. "I think I love you too, Fin Hunter."

He closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. When he opened them again, his gaze was filled with desire. "Oh, G.o.d. I want to take to you home and show you how much I love you. I wonder if we could escape without anyone noticing. What are the odds, do you think?"

I giggled like a teenager and glanced around surrept.i.tiously. "Oh, I think Alasdair would notice. He's heading our way."

"Fin. There you are. I'd like to introduce you to Malcolm McClintock. He's the managing director of Clarke Estates. Remember I mentioned their involvement with the Inveresk cottages?"

"Oh, yeah. I remember." Fin nodded. He glanced down at me. "Would you mind?"

Fear spiked within me at the thought of being left alone. I didn't wish to experience another encounter with Campbell Hunter. "Can I come with you?"

He smiled warmly. "Can't bear to be away from me, eh?"

Heat rose in my cheeks. "Something like that."

He held out his hand. "Come on then."

Fin Malcolm McClintock was a force to be reckoned with. He'd recently been pipped to the post by a rival on the purchase of the row of cottages at Inveresk that my father had helped to acquire for a large conglomerate. The company was h.e.l.l bent on knocking the old buildings down and constructing a muckle shopping centre that no one wanted nor needed. McClintock wasn't happy about it in the slightest.

"The thing is, Hunter, people have their histories in those homes. Their family trees are rooted there. I can't allow the cottages to be demolished as if they mean nothing. Hundreds of years of family history will be lost. A part of our country's culture will be lost. Those buildings aren't just bricks and mortar. This is... well, it's sacrilege, that's what it is." The man's face turned beet red, and I feared for his heart. He was a portly man, to say the least, and his pa.s.sion for the row of cottages was palpable. "My own family has history there. This whole ridiculous situation sickens and angers me, Hunter."

"Of course. I completely understand your anger at the situation, Mr McClintock, but there is little chance of us getting the decision overturned at this late stage."

McClintock wagged a fat finger in my face. "Now, look here. I came to your firm because you are the best. Don't you b.l.o.o.d.y let me down. I'll not live if those cottages are demolished. It will break me. You have my life in your hands, Hunter. McKendrick." The man nodded, turned, and walked away, heading for the bar.

Alasdair heaved a heavy sigh. "You see, that is one very pa.s.sionate man. He truly believes in his cause," he told me as he watched the man leave our company. "I suggest we get our thinking caps on, Fin. And fast."

At that, my boss left us too, and I glanced down at Star. Her eyes were darting around the room, and she nervously chewed on her lip.

Never a good sign.

I heard an emotion-filled voice coming from behind me. "Finlay, darling."

I turned and came face to face with Isobel Hunter. "Mum." She wore a demure blue gown, and her skin was paler than usual. She looked... ill.

She leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Oh, I've missed you so much, Finlay. We both have. Why haven't you been in touch?" Stupid question, and G.o.d, if there was an Oscar for most melodramatic mother...

I gritted my teeth. "You know very well why I haven't been in touch."

"Oh, pish tosh, Finlay. Blood is thicker than water, dear. You would do well to remember that." She trailed her disapproving gaze over Star and turned up her nose.

I slipped my arm around Star but said nothing.

"Have you heard from Elise...your fiancee?"

Anger bubbled up inside me, and I fought to calm the storm that was beginning to rage beneath my skin. "No, Mother, and you know very well that Elise is no longer my fiancee. She's moved on and so have I."

Ignoring me completely, she continued, "Oh, Finlay. Why must you sc.r.a.pe the barrel, dear? There are so many women out there who would suit you so much better than this... this... young woman."

Star gasped and I swallowed hard. "How dare you judge when you don't even know her?" I glanced down at Star. "I think we'll be leaving now." I turned and pulled Star along behind me.

"Leave him, Isobel. He no longer cares about his family," my father bellowed. "It saddens me that you've turned your back on us, Finlay. You've made your position quite clear. And to think I was hoping we could come to some arrangement over the Inveresk cottages. But you've clearly made your decision and chosen your place."

I spun around to face my father. "What do you mean by that? I didn't turn my back on you, it was you who turned your back on me. And the cottages are nothing to do with you now. You won, remember?"

There was something that looked like sadness in his eyes, and for a split second, I felt for him.

He sighed and stepped toward me. "Look, I know what a big win it would be for McKendrick Law to overturn the demolition decision. I had been thinking about a.s.sisting you in making that happen. It's time to make amends for many past wrongs. Or so I thought..."

My heart began to pound as the distraught faces of the poor Inveresk villagers sprang to mind. "Why would you do that?"

He reached out and gripped my shoulder. "Let's just say it would be good to have you back in the fold, son."

The word son fell from his lips for the first time ever, and I was dumbfounded. Stunned. My mouth opened and closed like a dying goldfish, and I stood there just staring at him.

"But, let's face it, son..." There it was again, that word. "You can do much better than a scruffy, tattooed coffee server." His belligerent remarks slipped from his mouth with such ease and without a single thought for the woman standing beside me. I couldn't get over his audacity. But he wasn't done. "If you really are determined not to reconcile with Elise, we can introduce you to someone else. Someone more suited to your status as a Hunter. Think of the future, Finlay. Your mother and I love you dearly, and we just want the best for you. I'm... I'm sorry I didn't tell you that sooner, son."

Love? Did he just profess to love me too? f.u.c.k. Is this happening?

He placed both hands on my shoulders and looked directly into my eyes. I was suddenly so overcome with emotion at the sincerity reflected at me that his words were no longer registering in my brain. No other words were getting through except the ones where he said he loved me. It had been a long time coming, and now it had happened, I was sh.e.l.l-shocked.

He squeezed me gently. "She's not good enough for you, Finlay. Don't you see that? Look at her. Your mother and I could help you find the right girl. We're the ones who matter. Us. Your family. We are the ones who love you. If you love us, Finlay, just say the words and all this can be forgotten. We'll be a family again. We'll move past this nonsense. All the silly ideas about tattooed girls and singing. We can put it down to experience and move forward with all that in the past. All the bad decisions. Just say you still love us Finlay. We love you and want you back in our lives. Can you find the words to put it all behind us?"

I'd had champagne, yes but here he was, my father, telling me he loved me and wanted what was best for me. I had waited my whole life to hear those words. Yet I couldn't react right away. His words were rattling around my head but it took a while for them to sink in.