Snow lay underfoot, softening every footstep and blurring the edges of the trail.
Eventually the path reached the sand and she stopped.
This was far enough, surely. No one would overhear them here.
And she just wanted to get the conversation over with.
“Will—”
“Can you believe there is snow on the beach? It’s magical.”
“Yes, but—”
“It’s not the first time. It happened a few years ago. Peoplewere stranded in holiday cottages, unable to leave. Created havoc.”
“I remember.”
She wondered how long they were going to carry on talking about nothing at all, when they had something far more important to talk about.
And then finally he turned her to face him.
“Why are you looking so devastated?”
“You really need to ask? This is a total disaster, but I’ll fix it, I promise. I’m sorry. I’m sure you’re very angry. I don’t know what came over me but I wasn’t expecting Rosie to put me on the spot like that. I didn’t even know she suspected! And then she just blurted it out in front of everyone and frankly I wanted to die right there, but—” She stopped as he pressed his fingers to her lips.
“I know. It’s okay, Becks. I’m not angry. A little surprised, maybe. Generally when I’m in a relationship with someone, I know about it.”
Mortified, she leaned her head into his chest again and felt him shaking. She glanced up. “Are youlaughing?”
“Yes.” His eyes were brimming with it. “You have to admit it’s funny.”
He had such blue eyes. And he had a way of looking at you that made you feel—
No! She wasn’t going to think about that now.
“It isn’t at all funny. How can you laugh?” She covered her face with her hands. “Why did I say all that? Why didn’t I just tell Rosie she was wrong?”
“You did tell her she was wrong.” His voice was steady. “She didn’t believe you.”
“Still, I should have found a different way to convince her. I didn’t think. It was a hideous situation, and I didn’t know what to do. And having said all that I’ve made everything a thousandtimes more complicated. How am I going to undo this? Forget burying myself in a hole. I think I just want to die.”
“That seems a little extreme.” Gently, he eased her hands away from her face. “I’m sure we can find a less dramatic alternative.”
“You’re still laughing.”
“Because it really was funny. I keep seeing your dad’s face. And your mother’s face. I’ve never seen your mother so happy.”
“I know! She was almost dancing on the spot. I’m amazed she believed me. I’m obviously a better actress than I thought.” And because he was laughing and didn’t seem at all angry, she started to laugh too. “What a mess. I did warn you I was terrible at relationships.”
“I had no idea that included pretend relationships. You’re shivering.” He unwrapped the scarf from his neck and put it around hers instead. “Time to plan, before you get frostbite.”
“I already have a plan. I’m going to march back in there, confess that I was so stunned by Rosie’s ridiculous statement that I panicked and blurted it out without thinking. I’ll tell them everything I said was rubbish. What has really shocked me is the fact that they believed that we’re together. I mean, it was as if they’d been waiting for it. That’s insane, isn’t it? We’ve known each other forever. Your mother might be trying to match you up with any woman who comes your way, but mine doesn’t do that. Why would she even think us being together was a possibility?”
His gaze was steady on hers. “I don’t know. I suppose you were convincing.”
“Maybe.” It occurred to her that no one in her acquaintance would have treated this situation as calmly as Will. “Anyway, let’s go back inside and I’ll execute my plan and take what’s coming to me.”
“Your plan is flawed.”
