She smiled. ‘I love you too.’
‘Just promise me you’re not going to fall head over heels in love with this man.’
‘That would be impossible because there is not a single man in the world who could make me feel what I feel for you.’
He smiled and looked around. The place was pretty full with people having pre-Christmas drinks and celebrations.
‘I’m looking forward to the day I can take you out on a date where I can hold your hand across the table and tell you how beautiful you are,’ Quinn said.
‘Soon, I promise. And you’re looking devastatingly gorgeous tonight in that suit. I’m not sure how I’m going to concentrate on anything this man is going tosay with you sitting next to him. This man has already lost out to you and I’ve not even met him yet.’
Alex felt guilty saying that but it was true. This poor man had come all this way for a date that was already dead in the water.
Cleo arrived at the table supposedly to do the introductions but there was no sign of any man. She had the biggest smile on her face.
‘So this is Quinn, he’s thirty-two, loves rugby, kayaking, paddleboarding, quiz nights and murder mysteries. He is a metal-work artist. This is Alex, she’s thirty, she has a brilliant, seven-year-old daughter. Alex loves sea swimming, in the summer months anyway, gardening, also in the spring and summer, she loves action films and romance books, but has a special place in her heart for any fantasy romance. She also loves watching murder mysteries so that’s something you two have in common. Have a good night.’
Cleo started to move away but Alex stopped her in confusion. ‘What’s going on?’
Cleo gestured to Quinn. ‘This is your hot date. I told you I’d arranged a date with your perfect man and here he is. Have a good night, the meal’s on us,’ she gestured to Max who was grinning at them both from behind the bar.
Cleo moved away and Alex looked at Quinn. ‘We’ve been set up,’ she laughed.
‘So it seems.’
‘Did you know about this?’
‘No idea, Max just asked me to double date with youabout an hour ago. Look, we don’t have to stay, we can have a drink and go home.’
‘Hell no, I have a hot date with the most perfect man in the world, a free meal and, while I’d never normally sleep with a man on a first date, I’m pretty sure I’m going to break that rule for you tonight.’
He laughed.
Her heart felt so full of him. He really was perfect for her in every way, Cleo couldn’t have set her up with a better man and maybe she needed to make that clear.
She reached across the table and took his hand. He looked around nervously for a moment but she was gratified when he entwined his fingers with hers. ‘She described you perfectly, gentle, kind, patient, and you’ve been so patient with me. I think it’s time we make it very clear that I’m not on the market for anyone else ever again.’
‘You don’t have to do that,’ Quinn said. ‘You don’t have to prove anything to me or to anyone. I know where I stand with you and I don’t need anything more than that.’
‘But maybe I do. I’m tired of hiding it. If I want to hold your hand in public or hug you or kiss you I will. When someone asks if we’re together, like they’ve done many times before over the years because they’ve seen how close we are, I want to say yes, because we are and not just in a friends-with-benefits way – you’ve always been so much more than that to me. Cleo saw what we were fighting against for years: that we are meant to be together.’
He frowned slightly. ‘OK.’
‘Why are you frowning? I thought you would be happy about this. I’m yours and I want the world to know.’
‘I just don’t want you to regret it.’
‘How could I regret being with you? I love you. I know I’ve been scared of labelling it as a relationship as that’s big and scary and life-changing but that’s what we’re in. We’re sleeping together, we’ve told each we love each other, we’re exclusive to each other, we’ve even talked about our future. Labelling it as no strings attached is just rubbish. There are strings whether we want them or not. And I’m so sorry that I’m messing you around.’
‘You’re not messing me around. You want to take things slow and I totally understand why. Liam hurt you badly and you want to be careful with your heart and who you give it to.’
‘I’ve already given it to you.’
‘OK, but we can take this as slow as you want or need.’
Alex nodded. ‘I know. Now as the meal is free, shall we have a look at the menu?’
They started looking through the menu and she didn’t let go of his hand as she did. When she glanced over at him she could see he was looking ridiculously happy about it, even circling the back of her hand with his thumb, making her feel weak and needy.
