‘Didn’t think about that.’ A mild panic rises in his stomach, but he pushes it down. ‘She seemed harmless. I’m sure it’ll be fine.’ They step aside to let a young couple pass and he lowers his voice. ‘Why do you think Clover did that?’
‘Knowing her, as I’ve got to over past weeks, it’s probably because she wants everyone to be happy. You know her and Albie are an item now?’
‘I thought there was something going on from the way she had us slaving away. Not surprised to hear her plan worked. She’s quite formidable.’
‘Yeah, I envy her, actually.’
‘Why?’
‘She knew what she wanted and went after it. Knows life is too short to kick yourself for the stuff you didn’t do.’ Thoughtfully, she narrows her eyes. For some reason, it makes him nervous. ‘Come on. We’re burning time, and you’ve promised to watch a Disney film tonight.’
‘Hang on…’
As she darts over to the counter where Clover and Rosie are whispering with their heads together, he hears her laughter above the chinks of forks and spoons against ceramic-ware, and people talking. Grinning, a feeling of contentment expands his chest.
Yes!The little voice crows, the joy apparent.
‘I don’t believe this!’ he explodes, shoving the newspaper away.
Kirsten’s head jerks up from uncorking a bottle of red wine. ‘Shhh. Rosie’s next door.’ Her brow creases. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Bloody vultures.’ He swears under his breath. Grabbing some magazines and papers on the way home intending to putthem in the library for everyone, he’d idly started reading one. ‘Page 6.’
Moving to his side, she grabs the paper and studies the picture of Harley scowling as he exits a shop. ‘Wow, you don’t look happy.’ Holding it up, she compares it with the thunderous man before her. ‘Hmmm, a matching pair, although you’re less beardy these days, thanks to my daughter.’
‘It’s not funny!’ Though part of him does want to joke about the way Rosie convinced him to trim his beard, short enough to see his chin cleft. She kept touching the dip, fascinated, until Kirsten told her to leave it alone, or he might not watchCinderella.
‘Sorry,’ Kirsten says. ‘Just trying to lighten the mood.’ She scans the article, ‘Did you read the whole thing before losing your temper? It just says you were seen near Southampton, like the piece in that gossip mag the first time we visited the café…’ Her voice trails off.
Is she thinking about the pulse-pounding kiss they shared that day?
Carrying on, she says, ‘You bought everyone a coffee? The barista’s quoted. “It was a nice gesture and has never happened before. Seemed like he was trying to keep a low profile too.” You know, it’s a positive article, other than ending with a comment about whether a leopard can change its spots.’
‘A good point.’ He rolls his shoulders to release the tension.
‘Lazy writing if you ask me.’ She goes over and shoves the paper into his recycling bin. ‘Why’d you buy them all coffee?’
‘Didn’t want them thinking I was a compete dick, I guess. Got the idea from one of Albie’s advice notes.’
‘A dick?’ She looks intrigued. ‘Because of your reputation?’
He winces, stung. ‘No. A woman recognised me and was asking questions. I panicked, and was sharp with her. But I also felt bad about disturbing everyone. They didn’t need my drama.’
‘In other words, you wanted to make up for hurt or disruption. It was kind. Would pro-player Harley with a swanky apartment by the Thames have done that?’
He laughs, a mixture of bitterness and wry humour. ‘Definitely not. He would’ve sent his PR person to get a healthy beverage without saying thank you.’
‘Glad I didn’t know him.’
‘Me too,’ he says with feeling.
‘Anyway, point proven. You’re a better person now. You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself.’ Shifting closer, she takes a deep breath. ‘If you weren’t a good person, I wouldn’t like you.’
His hearts pick up pace, thudding in his chest and the little voice blurtsyesjubilantly, before he inwardly begs her to please go away. Aloud, he denies, ‘You shouldn’t. You’ve been hurt before. Surely you can’t be in a hurry to rely on someone?’
‘A hurry? I’ve been single for years, and am financially independent. My business is doing so well I’ll need to start employing people. I bake until midnight some days.’
‘If you didn’t keep helping people?—’
