Chapter Forty-Five
It’s our first official date and I’m quietly thrilled.
The sun bathes the city in golden light as the river swells.
Tiago suggested the picnic in Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, one of the most beautiful gardens in Porto with its geometric, perfectly sculpted hedges.
Peacocks stride around with their vibrant blue plumages, as if we’re invisible to them, and not a bother at all.
It’s a quiet day in its lush green gardens to sit by the river and share spoils picked up from the local market.
Once again, Tiago has sensed my need for peace. And chosen a place that is not overwhelming, even with the other picnickers around.
Tiago hands me a box. ‘For you. But don’t get too excited. It’s not a gift.’
I open it and laugh. ‘My very own EpiPen to keep you alive and well. Remind me, I stab straight into the heart from a great height, yes?’
‘Ah.’ He grimaces. ‘There are instructions included. I took the liberty of printing them out in bigger font so there will be no confusion. But honestly, I can always administer it myself as I have plenty of warning when I’ve accidentally consumed almonds.’
‘You say that, but chances are you won’t have yours with you.’
‘A fifty-fifty chance, for sure.’ He sends a wry grin my way.
If this were a whodunnit this would be a clear case of Chekhov’s gun, which is to say, if there’s a gun on the wall in act one, it should go off in act three. Luckily this isn’t a whodunnit, it’s a simple date with my partner in crime.
‘I shall treasure this and will make sure I keep it with me at all times. And you know it’ll be safe from bag snatchers too.’
‘Very safe.’ He touches his cheekbone where there is only now a light dusting of yellow bruise. ‘I can almost take a full breath again without pain. Maybe another month or two and I’ll be back to full capacity.’
‘Wonderful,’ I say as I take a travel chess set from my bag and set it up. ‘OK, so the fundamental principle of chess is to control the centre, so you have maximum mobility around the board.’
‘Sounds easy enough.’
‘Do you know what all the pieces are called and which way they can move?’
Tiago nods as he takes a fruit platter from the shopping bag and lays it on the rug. ‘Strawberry?’
Before I can respond, he’s feeding me a dark-chocolate-covered strawberry, heaven in itself, not to mention the jolt of Tiago being up close and personal.
How I’m supposed to focus on teaching the fundamentals of chess is beyond me, but he’s asked for a lesson, so I must oblige.
Chess Man is maintaining a lead when it comes to our games, a small irk, but an irk nonetheless.
I’m in desperate need of a partner to play with to sharpen my skills, and Tiago fits the bill nicely.
‘Would you like one?’ I ask and pop it into my mouth instead.
‘You witch!’ He pulls me into his arms, and we fall back on the rug, chess pieces scattering like so many marbles.
‘You’re never going to be a formidable chess player if you keep this up.’
‘You started it.’
‘I did no such thing!’
‘Can we please have less of the chitchat and more of the kissing?’
‘In public?’ I pretend to be outraged.
‘Am I sullying your reputation?’
‘Yes! Kiss me quickly before I change my mind!’ It’s amusing playing a damsel in distress, especially with a loveable rogue such as this.
Our noses brush as we stare into each other’s eyes, a galaxy of stars twinkle back at me.
I catch my breath, as always startled that this is my reality, this man who holds me tight, and makes promises just with a look, with his touch, as if telling me I can count on him.
I can trust him. After an age, his lips brush mine and I deepen the kiss, wishing it could last forever.