Chapter 43
TASHA
After a light meal at a pretty beachside restaurant, Tasha accompanied Callum down granite steps onto the beach.
It was still very warm and after they’d taken off their shoes, she relished having the warm, soft, pale sand under her feet.
The sun was slowly setting and the sky now a mass of pink, lilac and golden hues.
She slipped her hand into Callum’s and he looked at her, smiling.
‘Enjoying yourself?’ he asked.
‘Very much.’ She didn’t add that she dreaded her stay with him ending.
Callum was everything Riley wasn’t, kind, thoughtful and a perfect host. He seemed to sense when she needed time to contemplate her thoughts, unlike Riley.
If only her ex-boss had some of Callum’s pleasant traits, then her job would have been incredible.
She wasn’t sure whether it was the thought of leaving Callum in two days’ time that upset her so much, or the knowledge that what she had expected to be her ideal role had turned out to be nothing more than a massive disappointment.
Wanting to change her mindset, she thought back to how relaxing it had been at Callum’s flat. She had enjoyed getting to know him a little better and even had time to read a book for once.
Her thoughts returned to Callum. She suspected Callum had something on his mind and decided she needed to encourage him to open up a bit.
‘What’s the matter, Callum? I can tell there’s something bothering you.’
She waited for him to respond. ‘Let’s walk, shall we?’
Callum gave her hand a gentle squeeze. ‘I was wondering what you’re going to do next,’ he said eventually.
She looked up at him, unsure whether he was really sharing his thoughts but didn’t want to sound as if she doubted him so kept her thoughts to herself.
‘I’m not entirely sure,’ she admitted, realising she really did need to make a decision and not continue to rely on Callum’s hospitality.
The poor guy was used to living alone and having his own space, and as much as she had loved staying at his flat she would hate to feel as if she’d outstayed her welcome.
They walked in silence.
A few minutes later, Callum stopped walking and went to say something just as she did too.
‘You go first,’ she said.
He shook his head and smiled. ‘It’s fine. You go.’
Happy to have finally come to a decision, but sad that it meant these blissful few days would come to an end, she said, ‘For the first time in three years I think I know what I’m going to do.’
He smiled proudly at her. ‘That’s brilliant. You can do whatever you want and I believe your future is there for the taking.’
She wasn’t sure exactly what he meant but feeling empowered by Callum’s belief in her, she sighed. ‘I suppose it is. I think the trouble is that I’ve spent so long running around making life easier for Riley that I’ve forgotten how it feels to put myself first.’
Callum pulled her into a hug. ‘Good for you.’
Surprised by his sudden act of affection, Tasha hugged him back. ‘Thanks for reminding me I’m my own woman, Callum.’
He leant back and looked into her eyes. His focus moved slowly down to her lips where it rested for a few seconds.
Tasha sensed he wanted to kiss her. Excitement swelled in her chest at the thought, only for Callum’s gaze to lift until his eyes were locked with hers.
‘You’re an amazing woman, Tasha; I hope you know that.’
Delighted to hear his praise, Tasha concentrated hard on hiding her disappointment that he hadn’t kissed her. ‘I certainly needed the reminder, so thank you. I suppose we should go back so I can book my flight home.’
He seemed shocked. ‘Flight?’
Tasha had been so caught up in his reaction she realised she hadn’t actually voiced her decision. She gave him an apologetic smile, unsure whether his reaction was one of disappointment or simply surprise.
‘Yes, sorry. I let my studio flat in Clapham go before coming to Jersey and had been looking for somewhere further out of London to live. Somewhere a little cheaper and with more greenery around it. Now that I don’t know where I’ll be working, I think it’s safer for me to wait until I’ve found somewhere nearby to rent.
’ She frowned. ‘I think I’m going to cast aside my reservations and stay with my parents for a while.
We could do with patching things up and if it means they’ll need to have the satisfaction of me admitting they were right to be concerned about me working for Riley, then that’s what I’ll have to deal with.
I need to move forward though. I’m not good at just sitting around and doing nothing. ’
She had expected him to laugh at her quip, but he didn’t.
‘I’ll be sorry to see you go,’ he said eventually.
She felt a pang of loss in her chest. ‘You will?’
He nodded. He stared at her for a moment. ‘Do you mind if I kiss you?’
His question was so unexpected that she almost laughed. Mind?, she wanted to ask. She couldn’t think of anything she would rather do.
Instead she shook her head slowly. ‘I wouldn’t mind at all,’ she said, unable to stop smiling. ‘In fact, I think I’d like that very much.’
Callum’s mouth slowly drew back into a smile and, taking her in his arms, he pulled her close to him and slipped one hand behind her head before lowering his head until his lips met hers.