‘I was trying to be thoughtful,’ he said wryly, giving her an apologetic kiss on the forehead and getting himself back up.
He’d done a lot of thinking while she’d slept, but wasn’t convinced this was the moment to share his new ideas.
‘Spit it out. Tell me what’s going through that devious mind of yours.’
Tamara glanced at her bedside clock.
Shaped like an unnaturally pink pig, its alarm was — at least to his mind — a disturbing sequence of loud oinks.
‘You’ve only got an hour before opening time, and I assume you’ll want to shower at yours and put on clean clothes before facing the customers.’
‘You’re right. If I don’t get a move on, Emily will beat me to the shop.’
‘I’ll get dressed and join you downstairs.’
Soon they were sitting at the kitchen table with the teapot in front of them.
‘You’ll say I’m out of my mind, but hear me out before you roll around laughing, okay?’ He took a deep breath. ‘I’m sure you could go out and get another job in a pub easily enough, but I don’t think it’s what you really want. Your dream is to open a café. I’ve got a shop with a full kitchen that only needs an upgrade. Bookshops with cafés get a lot more business. I knowyou don’t have spare cash to plough into a business, but I’m guessing the bank would give you a loan against your house.’
‘But what if it fails and I lose my home? I can’t risk that.’
He understood the whole safety net thing and didn’t take it personally.
Gage wrapped his hands around hers, drawing her close. ‘We can do this. Together. You won’t be the strong, capable woman I know you are if you let this opportunity slip by. This will give us more time together and fulfil one of your dreams. Take the plunge.’ His heart thudded in his chest, waiting for her response.
Tamara’s eyes glittered. ‘Okay! You’re right. If I don’t seize the chance now, I’ll always regret it. I can do this. We can do this.’
* * *
‘I can’t believe you’re leaving me in the lurch this way,’ Pixie said sadly. She continued polishing glasses and stacking them behind the bar. ‘I know last night you said you’d had enough, but I didn’t take you seriously.’
‘You should’ve done.’
‘Why now? What did that man do or say different from all the others with too much drink in them? Don’t get me wrong — he absolutely shouldn’t have said what he did, but we’re used to that.’
Her friend genuinely sounded puzzled. Was she shooting herself in the foot? Did it make sense to give up a couple of month’s wages when she’d almost certainly lose her job in January anyway? Gage’s words flooded back and stiffened her spine.
She told Pixie the whole story.
‘Wow, you’re not doing things by half, are you?’
‘You could say I’m following your example. Remember the advice you gave me weeks ago?’
Pixie’s brow furrowed. ‘Are you sure I’m the best person to pay attention to? I’m starting to question my judgement.’
‘Why’s that?’
‘Come on. You don’t miss a thing that goes on here. I’ve seen you watching Christos like a hawk.’
If she tried to spin a line about observing Christos to make sure he didn’t need help with anything, it’d be a miserable failure. Her friend was far too shrewd.
‘He’s good with customers, but—’
‘We both know he’s got flirting with women off to a fine art. That’s about it. He’s useless with the rest of the job.’ Tears glazed her eyes. ‘Am I right?’
Inwardly squirming, Tamara nodded.
‘Despite all of that, I still love him. I’ve got a lot to lose all around. I paid for our aeroplane tickets and put down a deposit on a house, because Christos’s savings are tied up in investments that he can’t touch without paying a penalty.’
