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The ice cream starts to drip down his hand, my eyes gravitating forward and catching his attention. I attempt to reach out to brush it away, but he beats me to it, pulling back and saying, “I’m going to go get a napkin.”
I gulp, nodding ever so slightly until he escapes from my line of view. Watching him walk away is as wrenching as it is endearing. Because being apart from Warren prompts an unforgiving reminder that a piece of me longs for him in a way I don’t think I’ve longed for anyone before.
Yet, at the same time, I know that no matter how far he goes, he’ll always come back.
I take this as my opportunity to slip into the small shop, heading straight to the slippers and grabbing a pair. I march over to the counter and get checked out by the clerk after she wraps the slippers in a small box topped with a matching bow.
I’ve just stepped outside when I spot Warren making his way back. His brows furrowed slightly as he glances around at the surrounding shops. It’s only when his gaze lands on me that it softens, and a small smile appears on his lips.
I shoot him a smile back, skipping down the shop steps as we finally meet each other. Warren tilts his chin in the direction of the gift bag in my hands, clearly unimpressed. “I was gone for five minutes.”
“And you’re lucky I got slowed down by the line in there.”
He smirks before reaching to take the bag out of my hand and returning the remainder of my ice cream cone to me.
“Careful,” I instruct, hands raised in front of him as he recklessly slings the bag over his shoulder. “Those are special.”
He pulls it back down, dropping it to his side as he flashes me a playful pout. “Better?”
“Much.” I take a pleased final bite of my ice cream before tossing the napkin in the trash bin up ahead. “Where to next?” I wonder, clasping my purse in anticipation. I’m in a shopping mood, and now that I’ve gotten one thing, I’ve got the urge to keep going.
He’s just opened his mouth to respond when thunder echoes through the sky, the sun no match for the English clouds that now float above us.
“Seriously?” I groan in disappointment.
“Welcome to England,sunshine. Let’s get out of here.”
I’m frozen in place by his choice of nickname for me. That’s the first time anyone has called me that since Gramps. I never thought I’dwantto hear it come out of anyone else’s mouth.
Until now.
It takes him being a few yards away to stop and notice. “What?” He turns back. “You alright?”
“Yeah…” I nod my head, gulping down the lump that’s formed in my throat. “Let’s go.”
“Hurry up!”
“I’ve got a bum knee, Delaney. Give a man a break.”
“And I’m wearing heels, Warren! This is a fair fight.”
He rolls his eyes playfully as he picks up his speed and easily catches up to me, much to my annoyance—and his amusement.
It hadn’t taken long for the clouds to start pouring down, emptying the market within minutes. Warren had been quick enough to spot one last taxi parked at the end of the street, and we’d made a run for it.
“Oi!” I wave my arm theatrically until they roll down the window. “We need a ride.”
“Oi? Why are you trying to act like a local?” Warren can’t keep his laughter inside, which naturally causes a smile to form on my lips.
“Hop in!” The taxi driver nods in the direction of the backseat.
“Cause it works.” I shoot him a wink as I climb inside first.
“Where to?” the driver requests, Warren dropping his head down to shield it from the rain as he rests his arms above the cab. His hair is damp, and a droplet of water now rests on his bottom lip.
“Islington,” he calls out over the pattering of the rain above us.
“Right, get in.”
