I walk home slowly, thinking about how damaging it can beto relationships when people don’t talk to each other honestly. It can be soeasy to get the wrong end of the stick.
How can I even think about having dinner with Aidan tonightand hopefully getting to know him better if I can’t be truthful with him? Ican’t go on hiding things from him. Not if I want us to get closer.
It’s time I stopped hiding away, keeping the dark events ofthe past year a closely guarded secret from everyone. I’m starting to heal.It’s time to walk out into the sunlight again.
It’ll be a brand-new start.
For me and hopefully for my blossoming romance with Aidan aswell.
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
I’ve made a special effort for tonight. But as Iexamine my reflection in the mirror, I wonder if I’ve gone over the top with myoutfit.
The ice-blue dress has a fitted lacy bodice and a chiffonskirt that swirls around my knees and makes me feel a million dollars. It’ssuch a glamorous change from my usual jeans and T-shirts. I’ve put my hair up andI’m wearing heels for the first time in forever!
Is it too much?
I hesitate for just a second longer. Then I straighten up,check my side view and grab my bag. I’m going to be late for Aidan if I don’tget a move on. My carefully-wrapped house-warming gift is already in the car –blue and white plates, bowls, cups and saucers, four of everything.
And as I run downstairs, I’m thinking: Today is the start ofthe new me. No more hiding away from the world, bogged down by the past. I’mgoing to be open and honest about everything tonight.
Butterflies are all aflutter inside as I drive over to thecottage. I can’t wait to see the complete transformation. The new kitchen andbathroom were being installed on Wednesday and carpets laid yesterday. But evenmore than the newly revamped cottage, I can’t wait to see Aidan again...
My heart is racing as I ring the new bell Aidan installedlast weekend.
He opens the door and his eyes widen when he sees me. ‘Wow.You look incredible, Kenzie.’
‘Thank you. Happy house-warming.’ I hand over the box and heushers me in. ‘It’s not every day I get invited to ahouse-warming-party-for-two. I thought I’d better make an effort.’
‘Well, it’s very much appreciated. Can I get you a drink?’
‘A glass of wine would be lovely. And by the way, you don’tlook too bad yourself.’ My eyes flick over his dark jeans and white shirt, and whenhe smiles at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners, longing fizzes inside me.
I walk ahead of him into the brand new kitchen. ‘Oh, this isgorgeous, Aidan!’ I turn in the middle of the room, taking in the pretty whiteshaker kitchen units, the stylish pale oak table and chairs and the blue blind atthe window that tones perfectly with the colour scheme we chose.
He’s unwrapping my gift, exclaiming with delight at everyitem he brings out. ‘You didn’t have to do this. But I’m very glad you did.Thank you, Kenzie. They’re beautiful.’
‘You’re very welcome. I love the way the kitchen’s turnedout.’
‘We make a good team.’ He walks towards me, and my heartstarts beating so fast, I feel quite breathless.
‘It’s not just the crockery that’s beautiful,’ he murmurs, brushingmy cheek with his fingertips and smoothing back a lock of my hair. He leanscloser and places a gentle kiss on my neck, lighting the touch paper that setsme aflame with desire. Our eyes lock and he pulls me against him, and as wekiss hungrily, I slide my hands over his chest and around his neck, standing ontiptoe, loving the feel of him against me.
At last, we pull away and smile into each other’s eyes,still locked together.
‘The food’s almost ready. Are you hungry?’ he murmurs.
‘Ravenous.’ I narrow my eyes at him in a wicked smile.
He chuckles. ‘Right, get off me, woman. Or this dinner willnever happen.’ He kisses me again and walks over to the oven and peers inside.Then he pours me a glass of wine and hands it to me. ‘Why don’t you go and havea look around at our handiwork? You haven’t seen the new bathroom. And I’ll behere, doing manly things with pepper steak.’
I laugh. ‘I’d quite like to stay and watch you do thosemanly things. But okay. I actually can’t wait to see the rest of the place.’
‘The main bedroom’s a bit of a mess,’ he calls. ‘I’ve beenunpacking boxes and discovering things I’d forgotten about.’
‘Oh, that’s a killer. You can get lost for hours down memorylane.’
‘Exactly.’
