Sarah drew another card and read ahead. Her eyebrows drew close and she bit down on her lower lip. ‘Personality. My biggest fear is . . .’ They locked eyes.
Matthew paused, his gaze dropping to the table. ‘That I end up in a relationship like my parents’.’ He shook his head. ‘That’s not the partner I want to be. Or father.’
Sarah registered the shift and Matthew sensed her hesitating, unsure. He said, ‘I’ll flag that. Not for today.’ On the notepad, he wroteMum and Dad. He lifted his eyes to meet hers. ‘You?’
She dropped her head back. ‘That I won’t ever be enough for a partner.’ Matthew’s eyes narrowed and she gestured to the pad. ‘Flag it.’
Matthew made a note.
‘This just got very real.’ Sarah exhaled and drew another card. ‘Personality. I show I care through . . .’
‘Small gestures. The little things mean the most, I think.’
‘I love that. I show I care through affection. Touch. I’m a very affectionate person. Touchy-feely.’
Matthew’s gaze fixed on Sarah as she righted the next card. She had a warmth and softness to her character that he found mesmerising. He could almost relive the sensation of her palm resting on his forearm on the plane; their first moment of contact.
Noting that Matthew had gone quiet, Sarah read, ‘Objectives. Where do you see yourself in ten years?’
‘Here. In Florence. It’s always been the goal. This is home now. What about you?’
‘I just want to be settled and happy. I often wonder what it might be like to have my own freelance events and styling business. Call the shots for myself rather than answer someone else’s. But that’s just a pipedream which would require significant financing.’
‘Is that how you might use my payment for the year?’ He paused. ‘Sorry. That was a very personal question. Ignore that. It’s your money.’ Matthew shook his head at how easily the question had slipped from his lips.
‘No, no. That’s fine.’ She waved away his concern. ‘Thatmoney . . .’ Sarah bit her top lip. ‘I have that earmarked for something . . . else. Something more personal.’ Sarah’s eyes returned quickly to the cards. ‘Lifestyle. What is a luxury item you can’t live without?’
Both furrowed their brows.
‘Coffee.Goodcoffee,’ he insisted.
‘Would you consider that a luxury, though?’ she asked. ‘Sounds more like an essential for you.’
‘The hours I work – worked, I mean – yes! Absolutely. Really good life-restoring coffee. From a proper moka pot. Or barista-made. None of the instant stuff.’
‘Can’t argue with that.’
‘You?’
Sarah’s lips curled. ‘Lingerie. Beautiful, feminine lingerie.’ Their eyes locked again.
‘Do I dare ask why?’ Instinctively, Matthew wanted to run his eyes over her to see if any trace of said lingerie was visible, but he restrained himself.
‘Because wearing it makes me feel . . .’ She gnawed on her lower lip. ‘Powerful. Confident. Sexy. Just for me. That’s a luxury in itself.’ She sensed that he wanted to know more, but was too much of a gentleman to ask. ‘I’m not wearing anything special now, just so you know,’ she added. ‘But most days, yes.’
Matthew cleared his throat and drained the remainder of his wine. ‘Ok, must be on the lookout for lingerie. Mental note, Matthew.’ He mimed writing.
Sarah pretended to scowl. ‘Creep. Just like the rest of them. Knew it.’
‘I assure you, I’m not. Cross my heart.’
With a smile, Sarah drew a final card. ‘Personality. When I think of what I want from love, I think of this song . . .’
‘Easy. Michael Bublé, ‘Home’.’
Sarah’s eyes widened. ‘That was quick!’
‘It’s just what I always pictured a long-term partner would feel like. Home.’
