Sebastian.
Her stomach dropped and she froze for a second. Of all the people to walk into the restaurant tonight, he was the last one she wanted to see. She’d hoped he’d left the island after everything that had happened. Her heart thudded hard. This was the last thing either of them needed. ‘Don’t look up now, but it appears Sebastian hasn’t left the island. He’s just walked into the restaurant.’ She watched as he shrugged off his coat, running a hand through his hair while saying something to the waiter.
Pippa looked down quickly, pretending to fix her napkin, making sure she didn’t make eye contact, but dared to quickly glance back, only to see the waiter lead him to another section of the restaurant that was, thank God, out of sight. She exhaled slowly, her shoulders loosening a fraction. Crisis averted. For now. ‘Thankfully, they’ve seated him in a different section. He shouldn’t be able to see us from there.’
Theo took a quick glance over his shoulder, and then picked up his knife and fork.
Pippa twirled a forkful of linguine. ‘This looks incredible.’
Theo smiled faintly. ‘It does.’
They started to eat, the clink of cutlery filling the pause that had stretched out between them. Pippa took a bite that was the perfect balance of heat, salt, and sweetness. She wanted to ask Theo again what had happened with his wife, but she also didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable.
Theo cut into his fish, clearly buying time of his own. The air between them wasn’t tense, but they both knew Pippa wanted to know more. The question wasn’t going anywhere.
She broke the moment with a small smile. ‘Okay, this is hands down the best linguine I’ve ever had.’
Theo smiled back, no doubt grateful for the change in direction. ‘We chose well.’
‘Want a bite?’ She forked up a small portion of linguine and leaned forward, holding it out. He leaned in slightly, took the bite, and nodded. ‘That’s excellent.’
Theo went to pinch a chip and Pippa quickly moved the plate. ‘I cross the line at you pinching my chips!’
Theo laughed.
‘Only joking, but only one. I don’t share my chips with just anyone, you know.’
‘I’m glad to hear I’m just not anyone,’ he said, smiling again, his eyes softening. The look stayed with her longer than it probably should have.
The conversation drifted back to easier ground for a few minutes– travel, the island, the weather– and they both avoided circling back to the question that still lingered, but the awareness of it sat quietly between them.
Pippa twirled another forkful of pasta, stealing a glance at Theo. He’d leaned back in his chair, one hand resting on the table, fingers lightly tapping the stem of his glass. He looked thoughtful. Then, at last, he broke the silence.
‘My wife had an affair.’
ChapterFifteen
Pippa froze, her fork still mid-twirl.
Theo didn’t look up; his eyes were on the table, his hand still resting by his glass.
‘My wife had an affair,’ he repeated, more quietly.
The words hung in the air.
Pippa set her fork down. ‘Theo…’
‘It’s okay,’ he said. ‘I probably should have said something earlier, but actually, I’ve not spoken about it to anyone.’
She kept her voice gentle. ‘You don’t need to, if you’re not ready, but I’m here if you want to talk.’
He nodded as he took a breath and let it out slowly. ‘As you know, I married Clara soon after university.’
Pippa nodded.
‘She was all about PR and marketing at uni. She worked the student union events. Posters everywhere. Wristbands. Guest lists. She could talk anyone into anything.’ A faint smile appeared. ‘She ran half the place by second year.’
‘I remember,’ Pippa replied. ‘High ponytail. Expensive trainers. Lived on oat lattes before anyone else did.’
