‘When you were subtly checking me out.’
‘Stop that.’
‘Sorry.’ He wound his fingers through hers. ‘Carry on. You realized this morning that …?’
‘That today is my last full day. I leave tomorrow morning.’
A look passed across Jacob’s face, so quickly that Olivia was unable to catch it before it disappeared.
‘Tomorrow? What time?’
‘Early.’
He turned over on to his back, his expression still unreadable.
‘Wow, that’s gone quickly.’
‘I know.’ For someone who had been counting down the days until she left, the imminent prospect of going home suddenly felt wrong. ‘I can’t believe it.’
‘How’s that for timing, hey?’ He gave a small, slightly sad laugh.
‘Yeah …’ A weight seemed to pull on her. ‘Thanks, Universe.’
Neither spoke for a while, both content to lie next to eachother, hands intertwined, swimming in their own thoughts. It wasn’t until Olivia’s faithful alarm sounded that both seemed to jolt back into action.
‘Look.’ Jacob twisted to face her. ‘I imagine there’s quite a lot you want to get done today, and having someone as incredibly enthusiastic and distracting as myself around probably isn’t the best idea.’
‘You are very distracting.’
Especially when half-naked.
She decided to keep that last thought to herself.
‘I don’t have much to do. I said I’d see Cece, maybe go and explore a market for the afternoon, and then I need to pack.’
‘Sounds busy to me.’ Jacob brought their hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles softly. ‘How about you spend the day doing your thing, and then you meet me for dinner later on the beach? A little farewell celebration?’
His words took her by surprise. A celebration? Why would he want tocelebrateher leaving?
‘I could do dinner.’
‘Perfect! In that case’ – he dropped her hand and pulled back the covers – ‘I’d better get myself together.’
He sprang out of the bed and began dressing hastily. Olivia stayed where she was, trying desperately not to beg him to hide away in the little cabin with her for ever. There was crazy and then there was downright insane.
‘OK, but you don’t need to leave straight away. Cece doesn’t finish teaching for ages.’
‘Yes, but’ – he leant across the bed and planted a kiss on her cheek – ‘I’ve got to plan! Because if there’s one thing I know about you, Olivia Jackson, it’s that you appreciate a plan.’
She went to kiss his lips but was too late. He’d already pulled away.
‘Shall we say seven o’clock on the beach?’
‘Uh-huh.’ She tried not to let the rejection sting too much. ‘I’ll be there.’
He opened the front door, the sun drenching him in golden light. He looked otherworldly, almost angelic, except for the mischievous grin that had appeared on his face. ‘Good, because I promise you, you will not want to miss this.’
‘No.’ She smiled, her heart fluttering at the sight of him. ‘I don’t think I will.’
