‘I’m thinking maybe white for the bathroom with blue mosaictiles for the floor?’ says Aidan, and I nod approvingly.
‘Nice,’ smiles the apple-cheeked, older woman at the till. Herbouffant hair is dyed a lovely shade of dark red and her name badge says ‘Rita’.‘Myhusband’s rubbish when it comes to choosing colours. You’ve got agood one there.’ She gives me a cheerful wink.
I glance at Aidan awkwardly, about to put her straight.
But quick as a flash, he smiles at me and murmurs, ‘I keeptelling you that, honey. Your boat came in the day you married me.’ He beamsfrom me to Rita and back again, and Rita gives a little sentimental smile as ifshe’s thinking, ‘Ah, young love!’
I shake my head at him, grinning, as Rita helps to loadpaint tins into the bags Aidan’s brought with him. And when we leave the shop,I turn to him, wide-eyed. ‘I can’t believe you said that.’
He shrugs. ‘I didn’t want to disappoint the lovely Rita.’
We’re still chuckling as we load the bags into his boot.
‘Right, well...’ Aidan stands by thedriver’s door, looking a little awkward all of a sudden. ‘So...give me a ring if you fancy that paint party, and I’ll get the beer in?’
‘I prefer wine. White.’
He nods. ‘White wine it is.’
‘Erm... tomorrow afternoon?’ I blurt out.
‘Sorry?’
‘I could come over tomorrow?’
‘Oh.’ He looks a little taken aback. But he nods. ‘Yes. Thatwould be great, Kenzie.’
‘Okay.’ My heart is beating faster. ‘See you tomorrow,then.’
I’m half way back to my own car, when he calls over. ‘I’lltext you my address, okay?’
‘Okay.’
‘Kenzie? Your paint.’
I turn and he’s sprinting after me, holding my bag aloft –the one I stupidly put in his boot because I was so distracted by ourconversation!
‘Oops. Thank you.’
My hand brushes against his as I take the bag from him, anda delicious little tingle shivers along my arm, making my heart beat faster.
We exchange a quick smile and I rush off, feeling my blushspreading to all corners.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
When I awake the next morning, I’m feeling light ofspirit as I open the curtains, and for those few seconds – as I yawn and smileat the spring sunshine filtering through the leaves of the cherry tree innext-door’s garden – I forget.
Then it hits me.
Aidan.
Memories of the day before start flooding through my mind...bumping into him in the DIY store, surprising him and making him laugh...buying paint together.
I offered to help him paint his new cottage.
Today!
Feeling a weird mixture of nerves and pleasure at thethought, I check my phone to see if he’s texted me his address as he promisedhe would.
