“Maybe. I don’t know. I don’t think I’m any better at dating than you are.”
“Why is it so hard?” She thought about Elsie, who she’d thought had been madly in love with Will. “Life has a weirdsense of humour, doesn’t it? You’d think humans should be designed to only fall in love with people who love them back. It should be programmed into us somehow.”
“It would certainly make life more convenient.”
“And less painful. Still, at least we have chocolate.”
“True.” He cut another slice of chocolate tart. “This is good.”
“It is. This was a great idea. You have great ideas.” She finished the mousse. “This is how I want to die. Are you going to finish that tart?”
“No, you go ahead.” He shook his head in wonder as she took the last slice. “I’ve never been able to figure out how someone so small can eat so much and remain small.”
“I burn it all off in nervous energy.”
They finished their meal, headed upstairs and Becky rooted around in her bag for the key. Why was he standing so close to her? She couldn’t concentrate. And then she realised he didn’t have much choice about it because here in the eaves of the hotel the corridor was barely wide enough for two people. Her heart was pumping, and she felt a tightness low in her stomach.
Desperate, she fumbled with the key, but she couldn’t get it to turn in the lock. “Stupid thing—”
“Let me.” He covered her hand with his, calmly jiggled the key and the door opened. The contact lasted only a few seconds but left her feeling as if she’d touched a live wire.
“Great. At least we’re not sleeping in the corridor.” She walked into the room, but it brought her little relief because he was right behind her. “Here we are. Our spacious suite. With one bed. It’s like a romcom, isn’t it?”
“Is it?” He closed the door and turned the key, ensuring their privacy.
She swallowed. So now they were locked in together. It was a sensible, precautionary measure. She would have done the same thing herself if her key-turning skills weren’t so bad.
“Yes. Rosie is addicted to stories with just one bed. Heroand heroine forced together, that kind of thing.”
“Okay.” He put the key down on the table near the door. “I’m trying to see the romantic potential in that. I’m assuming that in a romcom, one bed doesn’t mean someone has to sleep on the floor.”
“No. One bed is supposed to be a shortcut to romance. You’re forced to share. It’s a cold night. Things happen. Will, you have to know this.”
“Why would I? I’m more of a crime guy. In the books I read, if there is one bed then there’s usually a dead body tied to it. But I’m enjoying the education. Don’t stop.”
“That’s pretty much all I know. I’m not exactly a romance expert. That’s more my sister’s area.” And now she wished she hadn’t started babbling about romantic comedies. The last thing she wanted to think about was romance. And there was nothing remotely amusing about this situation.
With the door closed she was conscious of just how small the room was. Conscious of him. She never thought of Will that way and now, thanks to that phone call with his mother, she was thinking of it. And it was uncomfortable. She wanted to reboot her brain and start over.
She felt horribly jumpy and on edge. He, on the other hand, seemed maddeningly relaxed.
“Are you all right?” He undid the buttons of his shirt. “You seem tense.”
“Just tired. We should get some sleep.” Not exactly a reboot but the closest thing. “If the weather improves, we could make an early start.”
“No point in rushing. It will be icy first thing, and we need to give them time to clear the snow.”
She felt boiling hot and wanted to strip off a layer of clothing, but you couldn’t exactly strip off a dress. Why did Rosie love dresses so much? It made no sense to her. They were okayfor a couple of hours, but then she just wanted to tug it off and pull on something more comfortable.
She rummaged in her suitcase and found what she was looking for.
“I don’t sleep naked so you needn’t worry that I’ll give you an eyeful in the night.”
He stared at what she was holding in her hand. “Reindeer pyjamas?”
“It’s Christmas, in case you’d forgotten.”
“You have nightwear for each season?”
