Chapter 16 #3
‘I mean …’ He sighed. ‘Sometimes in a relationship, it’s easy to get lost in each other and then when it ends, it’s hard. Too hard. And you’re going to leave anyway. Even if you stay for a bit longer it won’t be forever.’
‘Not necessarily,’ she replied, the words wavering as she said them.
‘I really have been thinking of staying longer. It’s true I don’t know for sure how long, but I really like it here.
I like the person I am here. I love working on my content.
I love working on the café with you and I love—’ She swallowed, his eyes widening as he waited for her words.
His chest stopped rising and falling as though he were holding his breath.
‘I love being with you. I really do. I like you, Theo, and I thought you liked me.’
‘I do, but it’s not as easy as you make it sound.’
‘It’s not easy for me to talk about staying longer, but can’t you be brave enough to give this a chance and see what happens? I think I can.’
What was she saying? Did she really mean all this?
She supposed she must as the words were tumbling out of her heart, not her head.
This wasn’t the Milly who played it safe and secure, it was Milly who appreciated the small things in life; the feeling of happiness and contentment she got from doing something she loved, the sensation of being home somehow, prioritising her own wellbeing and discovering the things in life that made it worthwhile.
She looked up into Theo’s eyes. They didn’t waver from her face, as though he were searching inside her, seeing her heart. She held her breath, waiting for him to speak.
‘I can be brave enough,’ he said breathily. ‘I … want to. I care about you, Milly. A lot.’
Despite Ada butchering Taylor Swift outside, she could only hear the silence that hung between them.
Theo’s head dipped down, and she raised her own.
His lips brushed hers, kissing her gently, their touch sending wild sensations through her body.
From that moment, a fire and passion she’d never experienced before flared, and his hands were in her hair pulling her to him.
She didn’t have to move far to press herself against him and the feel of his strong chest against her body, their need for each other sent her senses spinning.
‘It’s worked hasn’t it!’ Ada declared from the café. They heard her move and suddenly the door flew open, light pouring in.
Theo and Milly leapt away from each other, Milly’s back hitting the shelves and sending packets tumbling to the floor as she adjusted her glasses, while Theo hit his head and rubbed it, cursing in Danish.
‘I knew it would work!’ She clapped and danced on the spot.
‘Can we come out now?’ Theo asked teasingly.
Ada stood aside, grinning, bowing like a butler. ‘Yes, you can.’
‘There is one more thing I want to talk about though,’ Milly said, still trapped by Ada and Theo.
Theo edged his way out to stand by Ada. ‘Do we have to do it in the cupboard?’
‘No,’ she replied, giggling. ‘This is about the food festival.’
‘I’ll make drinks.’
He moved to the barista machine and began making them all something.
He also added some of his delicious-looking cinnamon pastries to a plate.
She couldn’t remember what he’d called them, but she couldn’t wait to try them.
A few minutes later, they were settled at a table, and a few others were busy with customers.
‘So, I was thinking about the last event for the festival. You want it to be big, yes?’ Theo nodded.
‘Well, I checked the events announced so far and in the community-themed one; there’s lots of dinners, but I was thinking, our events are all breakfast or lunch, so why not do a brunch and make it all about finding and making new connections – new friends to hang out with.
We could call it Talk and Taste and we could have cards printed up for customers to write their names and numbers on and hand them to people they’ve connected with. What do you think?’
Theo’s eyebrows pulled together as he thought hard about what she’d said. She could see him running through things in his mind. Both she and Ada glanced at each other and waited. The silence stretched and Milly was just about to shout at him to say something when he smiled.
‘I love it. It’s the perfect end to the cooking festival and encapsulates everything the festival and hygge is about. You’re learning.’
Ada grinned. ‘Didn’t I tell you she’d turn the café around?’
‘You did.’ He reached out for Milly’s hand and kissed it.
The feel of his lips on her skin sent prickles up her arm and she wanted nothing more than to disappear back into the cupboard with Theo and leave Ada to run the café for a while.
‘We better start planning some menus,’ Milly replied, her cheeks growing hot from her unruly thoughts. ‘By the way.’ She turned to Ada. ‘You really are the worst singer I’ve ever heard in my life.’
‘Excuse me!’ Ada’s mouth fell open. ‘How dare you!’
‘It’s true,’ Theo added. ‘Really, really bad.’
‘Rude,’ Ada said, sitting back in her chair and crossing her arms over her chest. ‘Just rude.’