But the growing lies and continuing deceit were making Seb feel like a spineless teenager. “I’m sorry our agreement has put you in a difficult position with your friend.”
“It’s not your fault, Sebastian. You planned a pop-up girlfriend. A once-a-week takeout. I’m the stack of used pots and pans you wanted to avoid. If I hadn’t turned up here …” Helen picked at her nails. “Never mind. Let’s not get into that now. You’ll have to take a key when you leave for work on Friday morning, otherwise you’ll have to sit in the garden until I get back. The last bus on Friday night won’t get me home until eleven.”
“I’ll drive you back.”
“Because you want to check up on me?”
“No.” He couldn’t blame her for thinking that, but the accusation sat uncomfortably all the same. “I’m offering because it’s the least I can do.” And getting the bus home would mean she’d be walking across the fields in the dark, which didn’t sit comfortably with him either. “I’ve got an access pass to a gym by the harbor. I plan to head there every evening now. I can pick you up after my session on Friday.”
Helen’s brow creased a little. “That’s what a real boyfriend would do.”
“Well, there you go.” Seb picked up the last two strawberries, handing one to Helen and keeping the other for himself. “You won’t be lying to Liz that much after all.”
Chapter 21
Lizdidaspittake, spraying a mouthful of gin and tonic over the bar. “He’s moved in with you!”
“A bit louder please, Liz,” Helen said as fifty pairs of eyes turned in their direction. “I don’t think the guy in the next county heard you.”
“But, but, but—you’re living together.” If Liz was surprised a minute ago when Helen told her about the boxing clip—which Liz had missed because she’d been working all weekend—the look on her face now was off the scale. “You’ve been dating five minutes. Didn’t my experience with Raz teach you anything? I was a fool to move in with him so quickly.”
“Sebastian Clarke is nothing like Raz. And we’re not living togethertogether. He’s just … staying with me for the summer while he works for the Get Living Campaign.” Helen sipped her wine. It was diluted with lemonade and the only drink she’d be having tonight. She had to keep her wits about her because lying to Liz was just as hard as Helen thought it would be. As was discussing her jumbled feelings for Sebastian, which—afterThat Kissthe other night—had to be aired and dissected with someone soon or she’d explode. “Sebastian’s a nice guy and he’s paying rent so it’s helping me out a lot.”
“Does he know about your community service?”
Oh yes!“He was … okay about it. But please, Liz, don’t you breathe a word of it to anyone, or repeat anything I tell you tonight.”
“Chill out, Hel, who will I tell?”
“Sorry, but he’s in the public eye and image is important to him.”
“I understand.” Liz sipped her drink. “My lips are sealed.”
“Thank you.”
“I just can’t believe you’re dating a celebrity—actually, I can’t believe you’re dating, full stop.”
“Me neither.”
“Are you sleeping with him?”
“Liz, keep your voice down! No one wants to hear about my love life.”
“I do! It’s been years since you’ve”—Liz finally did lower her voice—“had sex.”
Oh, god, Helen was well aware of that fact!
“So what’s he like in bed? I bet he goes all night. He definitely looks like he’s got the stamina.”
Helen closed her eyes.
“Sorry, Hel.” Liz giggled. “It’s just that you’ve been going to waste for years. Okay, it was a shock just now to hear Sebastian Clarke has moved in, but if you’re happy, I’m happy.” Liz narrowed her eyes. “Youarehappy, aren’t you, Helen?”
“It’s all been a bit sudden, Liz, but yes.” A smile bubbled up inside her, spreading across her face, girlish and carefree. “I’m very happy.”
“About time. I know how difficult it was for you to meet men with Ada needing you so much. And then there was that guy you were in love with …”
Jaxon?“That was a stupid crush. I wasn’t in love with him.”
