Tasha rested a hand on his knee. ‘I didn’t really make much difference to Riley’s behaviour.’ She rested her head on his shoulder. ‘I must admit I’ll miss you, Callum.’
He was glad she wasn’t able to see how miserable the thought of her leaving the island made him. Choosing to try and encourage her rather than feel sorry for himself, he kissed the top of her head. ‘You’ll be fine. You’ve made the right decision. Although, it’s a shame that silly man doesn’t try to put someone else’s feelings first for once. I have an idea he’ll only realise what he’s lost in letting you go when it’s too late.’
‘That will be Riley all over,’ Tasha said, sounding, Callum thought, sad at the notion.
45
TASHA
Tasha heard Callum thanking the delivery guy as she sat on Callum’s comfy sofa, her laptop resting on her thighs. She checked her booking information and without giving herself a chance to change her mind, paid for her flight to London in two days’ time.
She set her laptop aside and watched Callum set out their food on the table in front of her. ‘This all looks delicious,’ she said, taking a glass of wine from him a minute later and sipping the delicious Malbec.
‘You not having anything?’ she asked, taking another sip of her wine.
He smiled. ‘My beer is in the kitchen, I’ll get it now.’
‘This food smells wonderful.’
He went to the kitchen, returning with a bottle of beer. ‘Let’s take these out to the balcony.’
She nodded and followed him.
‘I’m going to miss this view,’ she said miserably as she looked down at the bistro-style table and two chairs he had set up with a hurricane candle for them to enjoy most evenings when the sun set.
He pulled out a chair for her. ‘I wanted to make your last evening here memorable.’
She didn’t dare tell him how memorable it was, aware that if he had wanted her to stay Callum would most probably have taken the opportunity to say so after they had kissed on the beach. Instead he had told her that he thought she had made the right decision to leave Riley and return to the UK, seeming more concerned about Riley only realising when it was too late that his bad behaviour had caused her to leave.
They finished their meal and sat in silence gazing out over the fields near his flat.
‘I’ve enjoyed having you here,’ Callum said suddenly.
‘I’m glad.’ She reached out and took his hand. ‘I’ve loved being here. I already feel rested and much calmer.’
‘Good.’
She stared at him, thinking how difficult it was going to be to leave him.
‘I’m going to miss you, Tasha.’
‘You will?’
He frowned, then nodded. ‘Of course.’ He laughed.
‘What is it?’ she asked, unsure what he was getting at.
‘I hoped you might say you’d miss me too.’ His cheeks reddened at the admission and her heart melted to see him being vulnerable for once.
‘I’ll miss you very much,’ she said, aware that now was the time to be open because soon it would be too late. ‘I can’t bear the thought of leaving here.’ Tasha tried to swallow away the tears about to come. ‘I know I’ve had a few glasses of wine, but I hate to think that the enjoyment I’ve had living here over the past few days will soon be over.’
He stood and gently pulled her around to his side of the table. Tasha couldn’t think what to say as Callum took her into his arms and kissed her.
Unable to think of anything else, Tasha gave in to his kisses.
The urge to kiss him again increased. Tasha gazed into his deep blue eyes, her arms still around his neck, and felt compelled to take their relationship further. ‘Shall we go to bed?’
His eyes widened slightly. ‘Yes. I mean, if you’re sure that’s what you want?’
