Page 39 of The Secret Holiday Kiss

‘We have history, you and me. This would be a chance to catch up properly.’

‘About twenty-year-old projects that we’ve both moved on from?’

‘About anything you want, Daisy.’

She stared at him, with his impeccable tailoring and the confidence in his dark eyes, so straightforward, somehow. So familiar.

‘You know, I had forgotten that look you get,’ he went on. ‘Focused, almost stern. But it makes you look even more beautiful.’

She couldn’t help grinning at that. ‘Lars, come on. There’s no need for flattery.’

‘But there is every need. Come to dinner with me. It’s nearly Christmas.’

‘That’s your reasoning?’

His one-shoulder shrug was smooth. ‘One of them. But also, I want to discuss my empire with you.’

‘Empire?’ she laughed. ‘Of course you would be planning an empire.’

‘See? You know me so well. This will be the first of many City Drifts. Different names, of course. I want a Sea Drift – or Coastal Drift.’

‘It’s a good plan,’ Daisy said, trying to turn her mind back to business, ‘but you shouldn’t think about those until this one’s up and running. Until you know what works here.’

Lars chuckled. ‘It wouldn’t hurt to scout out some locations. Dreaming is half of it, don’t you think? Inspiration comes from dreaming, and we wouldn’t get anywhere without our inspiration.’

‘No creative would get anywhere without a regular dose of daydreaming.’ She glanced at her watch. There were only fifteen minutes until she was due to meet Sophie. ‘I’m so sorry, Lars, I need to go soon. Shall I take this with me, and we can catch up on the phone in the next couple of days?’

‘What about that lunch in Mistingham?’

‘Mistingham?’ She tensed.

‘I’ve been working so hard these last few weeks, I haven’t made a trip to the seaside. And your village sounds idyllic. What do you think?’

‘I just …’ She swallowed. ‘I think you should focus on City Drift. Visit the seaside as often as you like, but if you want my professional opinion, then stick to getting your flagship café just how you want it.’

He leaned forward. ‘What if I want your personal opinion? As someone who knows the county well.’

OK. She had walked into that one. ‘Of course. I’d be happy to, a bit further down the line. Let me do this, and—’

‘I can be in Mistingham on Monday. Spend the morning looking around. We could catch up over lunch, and I can see what the competition’s like.’

He chuckled, and Daisy joined in, though after all their harmless flirting, she suddenly didn’t feel like laughing. She thought of Lars standing on Mistingham green, taking it all in. The place where she had grown up, where she had been at her most vulnerable – where she still felt vulnerable. She imagined showing him around, bumping into Avery in his hoody and scruffy jeans. The thought of it made her stomach tense, though she didn’t quite understand why.

She liked Lars, and there was something seductive about his attentiveness. He was successful and creative; they had a lot in common. But she didn’t want him in Mistingham – not yet, anyway. She wasn’t ready, and she could only think of one way to stop it happening.

‘Let me get this done.’ She stood and tapped her iPad. ‘I’ll narrow down the lists, update you by phone and then, once we have our contractors, I’ll come here and we can work on the timeline together.’ Lars opened his mouth, but she kept going. ‘Over dinner. Or, we can meet and do this, then have dinner?’

‘Perfect,’ Lars purred. ‘There’s a new, bougie restaurant near the cathedral that I’d like you to see. We can get more inspiration for our little café.’

‘Your café,’ she reminded him as she put on her coat and held out her hand for him to shake.

He clasped her hand in his, then kissed her cheek. It was a promise, a place holder, and Daisy shivered. She said goodbye and gave him a wave from the doorstep.

All the way back to the car, past the twinkling light tunnel and the floodlit church, she kept her eyes open for Avery, but she didn’t see his blue hoody or mussed hair. Could she be bold and mention that she’d seen him, ask him where he’d been? Or should she let it go, and just enjoy spending time with him without trying to find out his secrets?

When Sophie appeared, carrying large paper carrier bags bursting with ball supplies, Daisy did a good job of being enthusiastic, and an even better job of telling her sister-in-law that her meeting had gone brilliantly, that she was excited about their business dinner, that things were looking up.

But all the while, her blood pulsed with unease. She didn’t know if it was the easy way Lars had charmed her, the thought of him coming to Mistingham, or how downcast Avery had seemed when he didn’t know she was watching him. Or maybe, after all this time, after all the effort she’d put into holding herself together, she was finally crumbling.