He stared at her, enjoying seeing her this comfortable in his home and thought how wonderful it would be to enjoy this sort of exchange every day.
Tasha frowned. ‘What is it?’
He shook his head, not wishing to add any further disruptions to her life. What Tasha needed now was his support, not his admission that his feelings for her were deepening every day. ‘It’s nothing.’
‘Are you sure?’ she asked, clearly not believing him.
Callum realised he needed to give a reasonable answer. ‘I was wondering whether you’d like to go for a stroll on the beach. There’s a lovely one I haven’t taken you to see yet and it we could have dinner either before or after, if that suits you.’
Her face broke into a smile. ‘I’d love that. Thank you.’
43
TASHA
After a light meal at a pretty beachside restaurant, Tasha accompanied Callum down granite steps onto the beach. It was still very warm and after they’d taken off their shoes, she relished having the warm, soft, pale sand under her feet. The sun was slowly setting and the sky now a mass of pink, lilac and golden hues.
She slipped her hand into Callum’s and he looked at her, smiling.
‘Enjoying yourself?’ he asked.
‘Very much.’ She didn’t add that she dreaded her stay with him ending. Callum was everything Riley wasn’t, kind, thoughtful and a perfect host. He seemed to sense when she needed time to contemplate her thoughts, unlike Riley. If only her ex-boss had some of Callum’s pleasant traits, then her job would have been incredible.
She wasn’t sure whether it was the thought of leaving Callum in two days’ time that upset her so much, or the knowledge that what she had expected to be her ideal role had turned out to be nothing more than a massive disappointment.
Wanting to change her mindset, she thought back to how relaxing it had been at Callum’s flat. She had enjoyed getting to know him a little better and even had time to read a book for once.
Her thoughts returned to Callum. She suspected Callum had something on his mind and decided she needed to encourage him to open up a bit.
‘What’s the matter, Callum? I can tell there’s something bothering you.’
She waited for him to respond. ‘Let’s walk, shall we?’
Callum gave her hand a gentle squeeze. ‘I was wondering what you’re going to do next,’ he said eventually.
She looked up at him, unsure whether he was really sharing his thoughts but didn’t want to sound as if she doubted him so kept her thoughts to herself.
‘I’m not entirely sure,’ she admitted, realising she really did need to make a decision and not continue to rely on Callum’s hospitality. The poor guy was used to living alone and having his own space, and as much as she had loved staying at his flat she would hate to feel as if she’d outstayed her welcome.
They walked in silence.
A few minutes later, Callum stopped walking and went to say something just as she did too.
‘You go first,’ she said.
He shook his head and smiled. ‘It’s fine. You go.’
Happy to have finally come to a decision, but sad that it meant these blissful few days would come to an end, she said, ‘For the first time in three years I think I know what I’m going to do.’
He smiled proudly at her. ‘That’s brilliant. You can do whatever you want and I believe your future is there for the taking.’
She wasn’t sure exactly what he meant but feeling empowered by Callum’s belief in her, she sighed. ‘I suppose it is. I think the trouble is that I’ve spent so long running around making life easier for Riley that I’ve forgotten how it feels to put myself first.’
Callum pulled her into a hug. ‘Good for you.’
Surprised by his sudden act of affection, Tasha hugged him back. ‘Thanks for reminding me I’m my own woman, Callum.’
He leant back and looked into her eyes. His focus moved slowly down to her lips where it rested for a few seconds.
