This realisation pained him, actually caused an ache in his chest. It was ludicrous that after only spending time withCourtney on a handful of brief occasions, he could feel this way about her.
Could feel so completely…enthralled.
The notion might have been amusing if it wasn’t so terrifying.
Travis counted amongst his casual friends several romance authors who he knew through his publishing house, and although he had the utmost respect for their books and their stories, he’d always assumed they were simply writing the same kinds of fictional fantasies as he was, albeit in a different genre.
He created fantastical murder mysteries for his amateur sleuth to solve and filled his stories with a larger-than-life cast of characters and incredible adventures that were unlike anything readers might encounter in the real world—which was exactly why they read his books.
His romance author friends created emotional and swoon-worthy romantic encounters for their characters, filled with beautiful moments and aching choices and glorious love stories that were also unlike anything readers might encounter int he real world—which was, again, exactly why they read those books.
But now Travis wondered if those romance writers with their tales of love-at-first-sight and unrequited longing might actually be penning stories that were far closer to reality than he’d ever imagined, because anytime he thought of Courtney Flynn, his heart did exactly the same things as did the hearts of the characters in those books.
It beat wildly out of control and made him wish for something he just couldn’t have.
In the hallway, Travis grabbed his keys and headed out into the early evening sunshine, hoping the walk ahead wouldn’t only blow away the cobwebs after a day spent writing, but that it would blow away the wild and crazy thoughts of Courtney that had taken hold of his mind and turned him into a borderline lunatic.
Travis walked at speed through Peartree Park, enjoying the pace and the fresh air in his lungs. He passed dog walkers and runners, children tearing past on their bikes, and couples holding hands. With the April sun warm and the sky a deep, cloudless blue, it seemed like half the town had come out to enjoy the delights of the spring evening.
As he strode past the benches beside the duck pond, Travis thought of how he’d sat there with Courtney a week ago while she’d enjoyed the cool shade beneath the oak tree, catching her breath and drinking the water he’d bought her, and how, once they began walking again, the sunlight had turned her glossy hair a burnished shade of dark copper.
And he wasn’t supposed to be thinking about Courtney, he told himself, even as his mind conjured pictures of her over and over again.
Leaving the park by the far exit, Travis headed down the hill towards the high street, deciding to take the opportunity to stock up on groceries while he was out and about. He stopped off at the deli, seduced by its window display filled with cheese wheels and glistening olives and cold meats. Spoiled for choice, he settled on a package of fresh pasta and a homemade tomato sauce, which would make for a quick meal when he returned to the house, and added bread rolls, a wedge of herby cheddar, and a carton of marinated peppers. Congratulating himself on resisting the alluring patisserie selection offered by the deli and reminding himself he’d already eaten far too many sweet treats from the corner bakery while he was writing, he paid for his items and stepped back outside onto the high street.
Where he immediately ran headlong into Courtney, who was coming in the other direction.
“Oh, I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” Travis asked as Courtney let out awhooshof air and dropped the canvas tote bag she was carrying.
“I’m fine!” Courtney blinked, and let out a surprised laugh, reaching for the bag on the pavement.
“Please, let me get that.”
Travis grabbed up the bag and handed it to her. When her fingers looped around the handles and brushed against his own, he felt azapof electricity race across his skin and cause his breath to hitch inside his chest.
His gaze caught hers, and for one hope-filled moment, Travis wondered if Courtney had felt the same thing he had.
No, of course she hadn’t.
Courtney took the tote bag from him and smiled. “Thank you.”
“Did I hurt you?” he asked, alarmed, as he saw her hand sweep down to her bump. “Is the baby okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine, and the baby is fine, too. Don’t worry about that. It was just a little knock and it would take a lot more than that to do her any harm.”
“I should’ve been looking where I was going when I stepped out of the deli. I’m sorry.”
“It was just an accident.” She offered a smile and glanced at his bag of purchases. “Is that more tasty treats to keep you going while you write?”
“Actually, this is tonight’s dinner. I thought I’d try the deli’s homemade pasta sauce.”
“Sounds delicious.”
“Have you eaten yet? Would you like to join me for dinner?”
So much for keeping his feelings in check. So much for not torturing himself with hopes that could only ever be dashed.
“I’d, er, love to join you for dinner,” Courtney said, a cautious smile on her lips. “If you’re sure?”
