Abby laughed. “What’s option two?”
“You could drive me, and I could lie flat on the back seat. That would have the added advantage of making sure no locals see me. It would be like driving a getaway car. Also, if it goes badly and I literally want to get away, you’d be there with the engine running. Sounds exciting, don’t you think?”
“It sounds unsafe and not ecofriendly. Is it that important that no one sees you?”
“Yes.” Evie’s smile dimmed. “That’s been a problem for me in the past. I’ll tell you about it sometime, but not now or I’ll talk myself out of going.”
“Right.” Abby moved the subject along. “But what does a getaway driver normally do while they’re killing time and you’re deciding if you want to get away or not?”
“You act as a lookout and message me if someone we know arrives in the car park.”
“The problem with that is that I know very few people and you know everyone.”
“Yes. That’s my problem, right there.” Evie shrugged. “I’mkidding, obviously. I’ll arrive creased. Or try and sit like a plank in the driver’s seat. The creases are always worse when you bend in the middle.”
“Which road will you be taking? Just so I can make sure I’m nowhere near your route.”
Evie stood up. “Come up to my bedroom and I can show you a few more options.”
“I—now?”
“Yes, we can pull out everything I own and you can say yes or no. I don’t have that many options, so it won’t take long.”
“What do you want this outfit to achieve?”
“You mean do I want it to lead to a night of hot sex?” Evie gathered up the plates and pondered. “Probably not. It’s a bit soon. It’s not only about physical chemistry, is it? I want to know if we have other things in common.”
“Given your appetite and his cooking skills I’d say you were a perfect match.”
“Tris said the same thing.”
“You two are close.”
“Yes, we are, but as friends. Nothing more. He’s a sweet-heart when you get to know him. I can see from your face you don’t believe me. But he’s had a lot to adjust to lately. He was a mountain guide, you know. Serious stuff in the Himalayas and the Alps. Led a pretty nomadic lifestyle so being trapped in one place, even a place like this, is a struggle for him. That’s why I give him a free pass when he’s grumpy. He came home to support family. That tells you everything you need to know about him in my book.” She walked back to the house. “How about a glass of wine? We can take it upstairs while we’re going through the contents of my wardrobe.”
“Sure. Why not. A small one.”
Abby scooped up the rest of the plates and followed Evie back into the house.
She should have said no, of course. She should have thanked her for inviting her on the run, and for the food, and then made a rapid exit before Evie could spill any more intimacies and secrets. But Abby didn’t want to. She was enjoying herself too much. It felt good to make a friend, to chat and joke about normal things, to laugh with someone about the terrible dates she’d had.
Just this one evening, she promised herself, and then she’d find a way to put some distance.
Her phone pinged and she checked it quickly while Evie was raiding the fridge for wine.
It was an email from her mother. Her finger hovered, ready to open it.
“You take the wine, I’ll bring the glasses.” Evie held the bottle out to her and Abby took it and shut her phone off.
She’d answer the email later.
Right now she had to help Evie choose a dress.
10
Evie
“This place has a great view.” Evie sat down at the table over-looking the sea and smoothed her dress. She was jumpy and on edge and really wishing she’d said no when he’d invited her to dinner. Better to imagine the romance they could have had than actually have one and live through another painful and awkward ending. Not only that, but this time they’d have to carry on working together.
