Chapter 24 #2
I walk away, straight back to the car. I’m not a person who cries easily, but the lump in my throat is back and my vision goes blurry for a minute. By the time Simon joins me, I’ve managed to compose myself again.
As I drive the couple of miles into the village Simon’s phone beeps. He pulls it out and frowns when he reads the message.
“Bad news?” I ask and he pulls a face.
“Just the job agency. One of the jobs I was interested in has been filled already.” He gives a quick smile but it doesn’t reach his eyes, so I know he’s putting on a brave face.
“You’ll find something soon,” I try to reassure him.
“Yes, I’ve filled in a few more applications, and the agency will alert me to anything else.” I can hear the worry in his voice.
“I know you didn’t want any favours,” I say, stopping and pulling into the small triangular-shaped car park in the middle of the village. All the shops line the roads that border it. “But Gabriel is about to advertise the catering job. Can I send the details to you?”
He pauses for a minute and I wait, remembering his reaction when I mentioned it back in Aspen. To me it would be perfect for him to work so close, but it’s not about me and I don’t want to pressure him.
“Alright, I’ll take a look. But I’m only applying if it’s suitable,” he warns, some of his fierceness showing through.
“Understood,” I reply. He goes to leave the car but I reach for his hand instead. He looks at me, puzzled, and I take a deep breath and say what’s on my mind. “I’m feeling a little nervous.”
“Nervous? You?” His mouth quirks into a smile and I agree it’s an unfamiliar sensation.
Feeling it two days in a row is upsetting my equilibrium.
Was it only last night I reconnected with Simon?
It feels like we’ve never been apart, and in a way we weren’t with the volume of tests, calls, and information we shared.
“What if your aunt and uncle don’t like me?”
“They will. But why would it bother you?”
“You mean so much to me, so of course I want them to like me. But what if they don’t? You’ve only been back a few days and already I’ve kept you out all night. What if they think I’ve corrupted you?”
“They’re going to love you, I promise. And you’ve definitely corrupted me. I hope you’re going to do it a lot more,” he adds, with a sexy smile and low voice that resonates in my soul and has me half aroused.
“Damn, now I’m going to meet them with a boner,” I groan and he bites his bottom lip, fully aware of the effect he’s having on me.
“Stop that. Don’t look at me,” I say, turning my head away to look out at the street, willing my dick to go back to sleep.
He gives a throaty laugh, which definitely adds to my problem.
“Not helping,” I growl. “If you don’t stop, there’ll be no breakfast, as I’ll be driving us back home and fucking you instead.
“Is that a promise?” He laughs and I look over at him.
“Just remember there was the option to stay in bed, but this was your idea.”
“Got it, sorry,” he says, sounding like he couldn’t be less so. At least it’s given time for my blood to return to circulating my body, and I get out of the car before he can say anything else.
He is right of course, as soon as I meet Lizzie and Ryan I can see there’s nothing to worry about.
They hug him tightly, and even ask if he had a good time last night, though they know full well he spent the night with me.
He colours slightly at their question, which I think is fair payback for what he’s just put me through.
But I can see the love they have for him, and I like that he has a family who cares for him.
He introduces us, and I go to offer my hand but I’m drawn into a warm hug instead.
Then we’re shown to a table and we place our order.
“Told you so,” he says triumphantly. “They love you already.”
“They’re just being kind as they don’t know me,” I say being truthful. “But I hope they will.”
They bring our order of coffee and bacon and eggs on toast and leave us alone, staying at a respectful distance. They’re also kept busy with customers, and it looks like the shop is thriving. I’ll certainly be back when I need more books. When we finish our breakfast, I ask for the bill.
“Oh no, we couldn’t,” Lizzie says, trying to wave away my request.
“I don’t believe in friends and family discounts and freebies,” I explain to her. “I believe that family and friends should be the supportive ones, especially for small businesses, and that means paying for goods and services.” I can see the appreciative look in Lizzie’s eyes.
“Thank you, but I’m letting you know now that I’m applying a staff discount.
” I know when I’m beat, and when she’s out of earshot to fetch the bill, I whisper to Simon, “Stubbornness runs strong in your family, I see.” I earn myself a snort, which delights me.
When she returns I pull out my wallet and see the napkin I put in there back in Aspen.
The one with the cartoon drawing of us on it. I hand it to Simon.
“What’s this?” he asks, his face a picture of cute confusion.
“Remember our date in Aspen?” I ask and he nods. “The server drew it and gave it to me when I paid the bill.”
“It’s really good, we should frame it.”
“Frame it?” I hadn’t given much thought about what to do with it. I’ve looked at it a few times over the last month when I’ve been missing him, but I’ve always tucked it back into my wallet, carrying him around with me. But I guess now he’s here I don’t have to do that.
“Yes, as a memento of our first date.”
Framing it feels special, creating a permanent souvenir of us.
A solidity we haven’t had before. The fire Simon ignited in me back in Aspen has spread into so much more, a warmth that fills every fibre of my soul.
The picture represents that change of state.
I don’t smirk, but I smile widely as I take his hand when we leave his aunt’s cafe and walk down the street on our first shopping trip together.