“Is something the matter? Do you need to make a call?”
“Probably.” But she didn’t want to spoil the afternoon by going off to make a phone call that would be unpleasant. “My sister just told me that Jordan has apparently arranged a birthday bonfire night for me in June.”
“It’s your birthday soon?”
She nodded. “It’s always around the long weekend. And we used to have a tradition of going to Jordan’s parents’ place to have a bonfire.”
“That sounds charming.”
Charming?See? Eric obviously thought it was unsophisticated too. “It was charming—when I was ten. Now it seems like something that should stay in the past.”
“What would you prefer to do if you could do anything in the world?”
“You mean apart from visit Tuscany?”
His eyebrows rose. “I’m sure that could be arranged if you really wanted.”
She swallowed. Did he mean to make it sound like he would do the arranging—if she really wanted? Oh, how stupid to think that.Come on.
“As nice as that would be, I think I’d rather do something in the city. See a play or the ballet or something like that.”
“You don’t wish to spend time with your family?” He watched her carefully.
“I’ve spent every birthday with my family.”
“All twenty-five of them.”
“All twenty-seven,” she corrected, then realised she’d just told him her age. Which he probably knew anyway, given his “people” would have dug into her background to find out more about her.
“Well, if you’d like to do something different, say the word. Which day are we talking?”
“The Monday. The actual day the public holiday falls on.”
He nodded. “Well, if you’ll put your trusting self in my hands, I’m sure we could come up with something a little more interesting than a bonfire.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate all the trouble they’ve gone to over the years. But it’s not like I’m ten anymore.”
“No, indeed.” His gaze flickered down from her face, and she was newly aware that her neckline was a little lower than she was used to. But dressing like this meant she fit in with the glamorous crowd who ate here, and that was the main thing. And now, having been seen with Eric Churchill a number of times, she didn’t want to embarrass him by being dressed inappropriately. If only Alissa could see her now, living her best life, with not a secondhand piece of clothing to be seen.
Eric smiled. “I’d be very happy to plan something on that weekend, if you’re willing to trust me.”
That was the million-dollar question, wasn’t it? She sipped her drink. In for a penny, in for a pound. “I’m happy.”
“You trust me?” he asked, offering a deep look.
She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry, then nodded.
This didn’t feel like they were talking about a meal anymore. This felt a lot bigger, a lot more real.
“Well, in that case, maybe you need to reply and say you already have plans.”
He waited until she did that. Then he smiled. “And we’ll make sure this is a birthday you’ll never forget. Okay?”
She dipped her chin. “Okay.”
Chapter 15
“Sorry for the late notice. Can’t make it today. Eric’s taking me yachting.”
