“Of course I will,” he said, knowing that resistance was futile.
“That settles it,” Kate said, looking pleased. “We’ll see you on Thursday evening, Gaby.”
Peter watched his parents hug Gaby again. On a chorus of ‘good nights’ and ‘see you soon’, Kate and Tommy waved goodbye and continued on their late evening walk.
“That was a nice surprise,” Gaby said as they resumed walking along the high street.
“Hmm, very nice,” he quipped. “Just be glad they obviously forgot that your aunt only lives a couple of streets away from them, or they’d be walking us back there so my mother can interrogate you further about Madrid hotel recommendations.”
“I wouldn’t have minded,” she said, amused. “I’ll bring a shortlist of hotel suggestions with me on Thursday.” She quickly glanced in his direction, her expression now uncertain. “Unless you’d rather I didn’t come to dinner. I realise your mother sort of sprang the invitation on you.”
“She sprang it onyou. If you’d rather not come, I completely understand.”
“I’d like to come, it’s just… well, you didn’t seem very happy when she invited me.”
“Listen, it’s completely up to you.”
Peter realised he was starting to sound tetchy and rude. Making a big deal out of a simple dinner invitation was ridiculous. If Gaby failed to appear for dinner, his mother would want to know why and would blame him for not insisting she join them.
“I’d love it if you joined us for family dinner, Gaby,” he said and realised he meant it because he’d get to see her again after resigning himself to parting ways. “You can meet my nieces and nephews. It’s total chaos but it’s worth it for my mother’s roast chicken.”
Her eyes lit up. “I forgot about your mother’s roast chicken. It was so good. And I’d love to meet your nieces and nephews. Are you sure this is all okay with you?”
“I’m positive.”
As they turned onto Foxglove Street, they discussed the arrangements. By the time it was all settled, they’d reached her aunt’s house.
“Thanks again for dinner tonight, Peter,” Gaby said.
“Thanks again for helping out at the school careers fair. It means a lot to me.”
At the front gate, she fished her keys from her bag. “I thought we might not see each other again after tonight. I’m glad your parents appeared and gave us another chance to spend some more time together.”
“If you change your mind, or your aunt needs you that evening, just let me know.”
“Okay.”
He wished he hadn’t said that, because her expression shifted again, as if she were trying to decipher the true meaning of his words.
“But I hope that doesn’t happen, because you’d miss a fun night of Bailey family mayhem,” he added, wanting to smooth things over and detesting the idea of hurting her feelings with his clumsy verbal gymnastics.
Gaby’s dazzling smile reappeared and had a predictable effect on his tumbling heart.
“I’m already looking forward to it,” she said.
“Good.”
They stood outside the front gate, eyes locked, and the cold night air was suddenly thrumming with electricity between them. Gaby’s green eyes sparkled beneath the streetlamps and the evening breeze caught her hair and sent it billowing softly around her face, and the impact on Peter was devastating.
It took every ounce of willpower he possessed not to step closer and take her in his arms and kiss her.
“Good night, Gaby.”
“’Night, Peter.”
He waited until she was inside the house before he turned for home. Neither the cold night air nor his bracing stride helped to clear his racing thoughts.
All he could think about was Gaby.
