‘I don’t know about that,’ said Rebecca modestly, although she was pleased he thought so highly of her opinion. If she was honest, most of the time she only had a vague understanding of what he was talking about, as it was a bit beyond her, but she was genuinely interested, so she asked a lot of questions which he always took the time and trouble to answer.
‘You do. My editor always compliments me on how down-to-earth my observations are and how easily accessible the information is. You give me a new perspective. So if you could read at least the first few chapters in the next couple of days before I send them off to my editor, I’d really appreciate it. Have you ordered a drink?’ he asked.
‘No, I wasn’t sure what you’d like and whether we should get a bottle.’
‘I’m not drinking this evening. Not when I’m in the final throes of this manuscript. I need a clear head. You go on and order a glass of wine.’
He picked up his menu and perused the choices, making a quick decision and putting down the menu.
Rebecca was still trying to decide. Having eaten many of the dishes at Maria’s table, she now knew what she was doing and had an excellent understanding of Portuguese food. She laughed to herself, remembering her initial reluctance to try anything new.
‘What are you going to have?’ she asked.
‘The burger. I’m not in the mood for anything fancy tonight.’
‘Sounds nice,’ she said. ‘I’m having thebacalhau comnatas.’
‘Pardon? Who are you and what have you done with Rebecca? You do know that’s a cod dish. Quite a meaty white fish.’
‘I do know, yes,’ she said with a smile. ‘I’ve learned a thing or two while I’ve been here.’
‘Sorry, was I being patronising?’ He flashed her his boyish ‘oops’ smile.
‘Just a bit.’
He looked a little taken aback at her agreeing with him.
‘I didn’t mean to be.’
‘Funnily enough, my taste buds have had a bit of an education since I’ve been here. You’d be amazed at what I’ve been eating… and liking.’ She thought of Maria coaxing her to try things. ‘There’s a difference when something is cooked with care. Maria’s been teaching me to cook.’
‘Interesting. Do you think you might cook it for me?’ he asked, his expression suddenly coy.
‘I could. I’ll need a bit more practice.’
He stared at her and she felt that she was supposed to be joining up some dots but she wasn’t quite there yet.
He frowned and shook his head. ‘Rebecca, I’m asking you to move in with me.’
‘What?’
He smiled, his face lighting up. ‘Have I messed this up? It was supposed to be a proper date. I was going to order champagne and ask you to spend the rest of your life with me, but I got caught up in the work.’
‘Oh,’ she said.
‘So what do you say?’
Her mouth opened but nothing came out. Move in with him? Of course, this was the obvious move, but now the offer was laid on the table, as it were, she wasn’t sure.
‘It’s not like you to be speechless. I know it’s what you wanted and I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to see it.’ He smiled at her, warm and encouraging, his soft blue eyes focused on her face. ‘I guess you’d be within your rights to make me wait, like I’ve made you wait.’
‘But…’ For God’s sake, she told herself, why was she even hesitating? He was offering her everything she’d always thought she wanted. A life with Will, who was stable, calm, hard-working and everything her brothers weren’t. Someone who wouldn’t let her down, wouldn’t put her down and wouldn’t dismiss her as someone who didn’t count.
‘Will, I?—’
‘Rebecca,’ his tone almost but not quite chiding, ‘you love me, and I love you. This is the next step. We know each other so well. We’ve been friends and now… it’s more. Much more.’
‘I guess. I just… I suppose I haven’t really thought past this summer.’
