“When we crossed paths yesterday outside the café, I wondered about the guy you were with,” Peter said. “Is he your boyfriend or partner or whatever?”
Gaby looked blank for a long moment. “What guy are you talking about?”
“The guy who was waiting in the car outside the café.”
Her blank look turned to puzzlement and then an expression of amused understanding crossed her face. “Oh God no, he’s not my boyfriend. That was Harry Goodwin. I only met him yesterday.”
“Oh, right.” Peter let this sink in. “He, uh, looked a bit unhappy while we were talking.”
Gaby laughed and shook her head. “If he looked unhappy, it’s because he was in the middle of a big crisis at work. His familyowns some hotels and restaurants around the area and while I was in the café I happened to overhear him talking about how they had a huge staffing emergency at their hotel. I felt bad for him and introduced myself and offered to help manage the big function they were hosting. That’s what I was rushing off to do yesterday when you and I met, and if Harry looked unhappy it’s because he really needed me to get in the car so he could drive me to the hotel and save him from having to figure out how to manage the function by himself.”
Peter listened to her explanation and the pieces slotted into place. He felt a huge surge of relief that Gaby wasn’t involved romantically with the guy he’d seen in the car and then reminded himself that it was stupid to feel that way.
It didn’t change what this was—nothing more than a get-together for a drink with someone he used to know.
“That was really nice of you to offer to help, especially when you didn’t even know him,” Peter said.
“I’ve been in the exact same predicament myself often enough to know how it feels,” Gaby said. “Managing hospitality events isn’t easy and when you throw in a staff shortage, things can quickly fall apart. I was happy to help him get out of a tight spot and keep his guests happy.”
Her offer to help this Harry Goodwin guy was generous and selfless and knowing she’d jumped in to assist a total stranger reminded Peter that she’d been that way when they were kids too. The years hadn’t changed her essential nature. She was kind and good-hearted and Peter liked that about her.
“So, you’re not, er, with anyone right now?” he asked. He couldn’t help it. If she wasn’t involved with this Harry Goodwin bloke, maybe she was involved with someone else. He wanted to know, one way or the other. Hehadto know.
“No, I’m not involved with anyone,” she said. “Are you?”
“No, me either.”
They slowed their pace and looked at each other. The moment felt important somehow, as if in sharing this information they’d also revealed some deeper truth about themselves.
Or maybe that was just his imagination playing tricks on him.
Peter was the first to break their gaze. He pointed to the pub further along the cobbled lane he’d led them to. Music and noisy conversation drifted out as people came and went through the doors, and the place was lively with the Sunday evening crowd enjoying themselves inside.
“I hope this is okay,” Peter said.
“It looks great,” Gaby replied. “And popular, too.”
“There’s usually a free table somewhere inside.” He held the door for her and when she walked past him he caught the scent of the warm and citrusy perfume she wore and saw the way the braid over her shoulder exposed the milky smooth skin at the back of her neck.
Peter forced himself to look away from that sweet spot on her neck and refused to allow himself to inhale the intoxicating scent of her perfume and focused instead on finding a table for them in the busy pub.
And then he fled to the bar to buy their drinks. He needed a minute to get himself together.
Maybe having this drink with Gaby wasn’t such a great idea after all. So far, all they’d done was walk to the pub and his mind was already scrambled. If he’d known this would happen, he might never have asked her out in the first place.
Peter allowed himself an amused chuckle as he queued at the bar. He was kidding himself and he knew it. From the moment they’d crossed paths yesterday, he could never have done anything other than ask her out.
And now an evening in Gaby’s company lay ahead and he planned to enjoy every second of it while it lasted. They had years to catch up on and old memories to remember and Peter wanted to be there for all of it.
Assuming he didn’t make a prat of himself and scare her off before they even finished their first drink.
7
Gaby watchedPeter turn from the bar and walk towards their table with their drinks while avoiding knocking into the groups of people who were mingling and chatting in the crowded floor space.
He looked good, very good in fact, in the navy blue trousers he’d paired with a dark grey shirt and she was impressed that he’d added a silk grey tie to look even smarter. She liked that he’d made an effort for her and hadn’t just turned up in jeans and a casual shirt. It would’ve been fine if he’d done that, obviously, but the fact that he hadn’t was touching and made her feel… honoured.
He smelled good too. She’d caught his spicy scent as they’d left her aunt’s house together. It was the same spicy scent that had enveloped her when they’d hugged outside the café yesterday. His aftershave smelled even more wonderful when it was laced with the cool crisp evening air.
