‘Only because I felt bad at the thought of you sitting here on your own waiting for me.’
‘Is that so?’ The edges of his mouth curled into a smile.
‘Yes. It’s more of a good deed, act of charity kind of thing.’
‘The only charitable deed I want from you right now is to pick your food! I have been waiting all day for this!’
‘OK, OK.’ Luckily, the strong ache in Olivia’s stomach was forcing her brain to choose quickly. ‘Right, I think I know what I want.’
‘Good, let’s get this show on the road, then.’
All it took was a look for one of the poised-to-pounce waiters to come over and take their order. Olivia tried not to look too surprised as Jacob reeled off two starters, a main and three side dishes. He hadn’t been lying when he said he could eat.
‘Now, tell me,’ Jacob said, the second the waiter disappeared, ‘how was your ridiculously busy day?’
‘It was good!’ Satisfaction swelled in her chest. ‘I saw everything I wanted to see, I’m packed ready to leave tomorrow,andI didn’t fall over or faint.’
‘Sounds like a roaring success to me.’
‘It was.’
‘How are you finding the craziness?’
‘Still crazy,’ Olivia scoffed. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.’
‘You will, in time.’
‘I’m not so sure.’ She fiddled with the napkin in front of her. ‘I don’t know how you do it.’
‘Do what?’
‘Live out of a backpack for months at a time. Never go back home!’ His admission the other day still blew her mind. ‘I am dreaming of the day I get back, have a bath and put a wash on.’
‘Wow, don’t go too wild.’
‘It’s true! It’s always the little things you miss. You know, the home comforts.’
‘Enlighten me.’ He took a sip of water. ‘Like what else?’
‘I don’t know. Seeing friends, going back to work.’
‘I’m sorry … did you say “going back to work”?’
‘Yes.’
‘You are lookingforwardto going back to work?’
‘Yes, what’s wrong with that? I like my job.’
‘No, you don’t.’
‘Yes, I do!’
‘I’m sorry, but I won’t accept that as an answer.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because you’re a young, attractive woman living in London …surelyyou have more fun things in your life than work?’
