Tia looks up from where she’s opening the bakery boxes on the weathered plank table nearby. ‘It’s so sheltered out here, it might even be warm enough to lose the sweatshirts?’
Lando nods. ‘The dresses would look great in the sunshine, if you’re not too cold?’
I was hoping to stay covered, but I know when I’m beaten. ‘If I get chilly, I can warm up eating strawberry tarts.’
Lando frowns ‘I thought Oliver said brides only ate white food?’
It’s unsurprising that Lando’s already an expert; he’s like that with everything.
Tia grins and offers him the box. ‘We often advise meringues for the bridal party, but we’re not real brides so we’ll make an exception.’
My mouth is watering as I see the bright fruit pastries with their shiny red glaze, and as the box comes my way I help myself. ‘Obviously we’ll be very careful eating these.’
My tart is almost in my mouth when Tia grabs my hand. ‘Hold on a second!’
I close my mouth. ‘What now?’
She holds up her finger. ‘We haven’t done the bride and groom shots yet!’
‘Damn.’ I put my tart on the table, hand her my phone and stand with my back to the rail a suitable distance from Lando. ‘Take us here with the sea behind us.’
Tia laughs. ‘Maevey, you look like you’ve got a broom handle rammed up your back.’ She shakes her head. ‘You’ll need to be closer to Lando, too.’
I curse under my breath and clutch at the only excuse I find. ‘Are you certain your girlfriend is okay with this, Lando?’
He gives me a searching look. ‘Which girlfriend are you talking about, exactly?’
‘Wasn’t there a woman on the boat?’ The way they both appeared from the cabin at dawn, it’s reasonable to assume they’d spent the night together.
‘There was… but she’s not currently taking up the girlfriend position.’
I’ve had my grilling. He can have his. ‘But those boat cabins are teensy. Or was it a one-night stand?’
His grin breaks through. ‘Definitely not that. Tight spaces go with the territory; sailors are used to close quarters.’
I’m cursing silently for spending all weekend imagining her with her arms snaked around his neck snogging his face off. How many times did I torture myself with the image of him peeling off her shorts? As if it matters anything to me anyway, because it definitely doesn’t.
I pull a face. ‘If you’re sure?’
‘She’s actually a colleague’s wife. I’m helping them with the boat renovations. Come on, it’s only a few pictures. But then I’m afraid I’ll have to run.’
I can’t believe my luck. ‘If you’re in a hurry, let’s let Tia take the pictures while we eat.’ I pick up my tart and take a bite and this time my laugh is real. ‘No one can feel awkward with a mouthful of strawberries.’
Lando’s laughing beside me. ‘Especially if they have cream on their face.’
‘I have a cream splodge?’
He laughs again and pulls a hanky from his pocket. ‘Sorry, stay where you are, I’ll wipe it off.’
I stand still while he rubs my cheek, then turn on him. ‘No more messing about; we’re here to work, remember!’
There’s still a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. ‘You’re right. I’ll behave from now on.’
Somehow the space between us has narrowed so much that my shoulder is gently brushing his arm, and the scent I’m breathing in from him is making my head float, but half a tart away from freedom I’m not about to grumble. It’s ambitious of me to try two bites in one to get this over even faster, but I go for it anyway.
A large lump of gloopy glazed strawberry drops out of my mouth and slithers down the front of my skirt, and I let out a gasp. ‘Omygosh! I don’t believe it!’
Lando can’t contain his grin. ‘I thought we agreed no more playing around?’
