‘I think you’re jumping the gun there. We’re...’ His voice trailed away and he made do with a shrug. How could he explain when he didn’t understand it himself yet?
Two pink circles blossomed on Evelyn’s cheeks. ‘If I were thirty years younger, or the reverse, you’re the sort of man who’d catch my eye.’
‘But think how jealous poor Quinten would be. You strike me as the sort of lady who could cope with both your sister’s challenges and a lover without too much difficulty, so why are you shutting him out? Martyrdom isn’t an attractive trait.’
For a second she looked stunned, before shaking her head and seeming to gather herself. ‘Time I went home, I think, Mr Bennet. You’ve certainly given me food for thought.’
Mission accomplished.
* * *
Tamara crept into the house and latched the door quietly behind her. She kicked off her shoes and hung up her wet mac before shaking her hair out of the scrappy ponytail she’d pulled it back in for work. A sliver of light came into the hall from the living room, and she wondered if Gage was awake or had fallen asleep with the light on. Her routine after a long day on her feet was to make a cup of tea and take it up to bed. But wouldn’t it be unfriendly not to offer him one too? She chuckled to herself. They’d gone past ‘friendly’ this morning. It bothered her to be alienated from Toby. She’d give him a ring tomorrow and try to smooth the troubled waters between them.
This was silly. Apart from anything else, Gage was a guest in her house and it was nothing more than a perfectly normal gesture to see if he needed anything. She tapped on the door. ‘I’m back. Would you like a cup of tea?’
‘Come on in. I promise I’m decent.’ His deep voice throbbed with amusement and she blushed, remembering their encounter in the kitchen yesterday. And their kiss earlier.
Tamara walked in and found him sitting in the chair, reading. They’d decided to leave the sofa-bed set-up during the day, so he didn’t have to struggle doing it himself or wait for her to help. It made the room seem even smaller and after this morning’s kiss, it was impossible not to picture him stretched out in the bed. ‘Studying up on Daphne’s writing?’
‘Yeah, it’s pretty good so far. I love discovering new authors and I’d probably have never tried her if it wasn’t for her number-one fan.’
‘Evelyn will expect a report when you’re done. Just like at school.’
‘That wouldn’t surprise me. She was... quite vociferous when she trusted me with the book.’
She sensed him holding something back, but chose not to press.
‘Busy night at the pub?’
A tired sigh slipped out. ‘It always is and Christos isn’t much help. He spends more time chatting up female customers than he does working.’
‘You must be exhausted.’
‘I’m used to long days,’ Tamara said determinedly.
‘Nathan rang me earlier. I’m not sure how he managed it, but he talked me into joining the Proper Choughed quiz team tonight.’
Tamara snorted. ‘You might live to regret that. The Back of Beyond Brains are formidable. We’ve got a three-game lead thisyear over Proper Choughed and as it’s Halloween night, we’ll be out for blood.’ She bared her teeth.
‘I’ll remember to bring garlic and a wooden stake.’
‘You do know costumes are obligatory?’
‘Yeah, no problem,’ he said blithely.
She recognised a lie when she heard one. ‘Really?’ She smirked. ‘You don’t strike me as the dressing-up type.’
‘I’ll have you know my karaoke tribute to John Travolta’sSaturday Night Feverroutine was the hit of the 2008 Christmas show in Kabul.’ As the words left his mouth, she guessed he wished them unsaid. ‘But with this gammy knee, my dancing days are over.’
‘A full performance won’t be required, but you in a tight, white suit could throw us ladies off our game. Take one for the team, Gage.’
‘I might consider it if you channel your inner Sandy fromGrease— not when she’s all sweet, but—’
‘Tight black leather and attitude. And here was me thinking you weren’t another predictable man.’ She gave a playful sigh.
‘What can I say?’
‘I’ll give it some thought.’ Far too much probably. ‘Right. How about that cup of tea? You’ve got to try a scone too and no excuses about being full from last night.’ She disappeared into the kitchen and soon returned with a laden tray. ‘There you go.’
