‘You certainly can’t have a roast without roasties,’ Irene replied. ‘Fingers crossed the date has gone without a hitch.’
Elle glanced down at Buddy. ‘Aww, look at him,’ she said, smiling.
‘I know. He’s just so cute.’
Reluctantly, Elle handed the bundle of cuteness back to Irene who laid him down gently inside his puppy pen and closed the gate.
‘I’ll come over after work on Tuesday, with Pippa if she’s free. I’m sure she’d love to meet Buddy.’
‘That’d be great.’
After kissing Elle on both cheeks, Irene stood in the doorway and waved her off.
‘It’s going to rain,’ she shouted after her. ‘Hurry.’
The sky had indeed darkened.
‘I will,’ Elle bellowed, picking up speed and burying her hands in her pockets. The heavens opened soon after, but thankfully she’d reached the corner shop in record time.
* * *
By the time Elle had paid for the potatoes, the rain had worsened. Sheltering under the roof that jutted over the shop doorway, Elle watched the rain bounce off the pavement. People were racing along the street with their coats over their heads, trying to keep themselves from being drenched.
She was just about to make a run for it when she sensed someone standing next to her.
‘Hey,’ came a male voice.
Elle glanced over her shoulder to find the gorgeous eyes of Noah Jones staring back at her. It took everything in her power not to gasp out loud.
‘Hey back,’ she replied, thankful her voice sounded relatively normal even though her heart was beating nineteen to the dozen. His eyes did not leave hers.
‘It looks like you’re deciding whether to make a run for it or not.’
‘You read my mind,’ she replied, though she was thankful he couldn’tactuallyread her mind, given that all she could think about was how utterly gorgeous he was.
They watched the rain bounce off the parked cars in the road. ‘I’m not really dressed for this.’
Elle noticed he wasn’t even wearing a coat, which was extremely brave in this weather. Instead, he was dressed casually in a tight white T-shirt, faded jeans and Converse. Elle was doing her very best not to stare at his toned abs or breathe too deeply – the aroma of his aftershave was already causing her stomach to flip.
‘Where are you going?’ he asked.
‘Home,’ Elle managed to say.
‘Is it far from here?’
‘About five minutes.’
‘Come on then. I’ll walk you,’ he said. ‘This rain doesn’t look like it’s giving up anytime soon and I’ve got an umbrella.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Absolutely. Here.’ He extended his arm and draped it around her shoulders. His hazel eyes bored into hers and Elle felt her entire body trembling. He was definitely striking, and she hoped it wasn’t too obvious she was blushing.
‘It’s that way.’ She pointed up the street and stepped out of the doorway.
Just then they saw a flash of lightning and their eyes flicked upwards. Thunder rolled across the dense black sky, and in an instant the rain became heavier. Another jagged bolt of white split the sky.
Noah took the bag of potatoes from Elle’s hand. ‘Are you ready to make a run for it?’
