Jack sat up sharply at the smell of the food.
‘Well, if it is my perfume, it’s obviously notas good as the smell of this roast.’ Lisa pulled her plate closer to her and looked at Jack. ‘Forget it, mister, this is mine!’
After consuming what felt like an awful lot of food and succumbing to a few fortifying glasses of wine as their conversation had progressed, Lisa stretched and glanced at her watch.
‘Oh my goodness, it’s half four. How did that happen?’
‘It takes a while toeat that much food.’ Dom’s eyes flicked to the empty dessert bowls on the table.
‘That’s very polite of you, but I know I’ve been talking for ages. I’m sorry.’
‘No, seriously, I can’t remember the last time I ate so much.’ Dom rubbed his stomach.
‘But—’
He leaned forward and placed his hand on hers to stop her. ‘Lisa, it’s fine. I’m happy to listen, and if talking to me makes youfeel ready to speak to Nathan, then that’s a good thing.’
‘Thanks, Dom, you’re a good friend.’ Lisa felt drained. The conversation, the warm fire and her full stomach made her want a sleep rather than have a long-overdue heart-to-heart, but she knew she couldn’t keep putting it off.
Lisa took her phone out of her bag and saw a missed call from Felicity as well as three messages from Nathan.Not wanting to commit to another run, she sent Flick a text saying she was sorry to have missed her, she hoped her legs weren’t too sore and she’d catch up later. She scrolled to Nathan’s messages – one asking how her run had gone and apologising that he hadn’t asked before, another saying he loved her, and the final one saying he’d cook and would have food ready for half five.
‘Oh no!’
‘What is it?’ Dom looked at her.
‘Nathan’s cooking me dinner.’
Dom laughed. ‘Oh, you’re buggered. Did you ever see thatVicar of Dibleywhere she eats all those Christmas dinners?’
‘It’s not funny. What am I going to do? He says it will be ready at half five. I’m stuffed, I’ve still got Kit and Kaboodle to feed, and I drank all that wine. I can’t even drive now. I thought the walk wouldclear my head … but—’
Sensing Lisa’s panic, Jack started jumping up and panting.
Dom stood and took hold of Jack’s collar. ‘It’s fine. I can drive you. We can feed the kittens on the way. Then I’ll drop you at Nathan’s, you can tell him you missed his message, you’ve already eaten, and you can reheat whatever he’s cooked tomorrow. Nathan’s a reasonable person, Lisa. He’s not going to mind.’
Lisa knew Dom was right; Nathan was a reasonable person, unlike Ben. She had to remind herself of that. ‘You’re so bloody calm and sensible. Please tell me there are some situations where you get completely fazed like the rest of us normal human beings.’
‘Being calm is my superpower.’ Dom laughed as they thanked the barman on their way out the door.
‘Really, and that’s all you’ve gotto offer me right now? Nothing better? Nothing cool, like turning back time to before I ordered and ate so much food?’
‘Nope, Captain Calm, that’s me.’ Dom winked.
‘Well, right now, Captain Calm, all that’s likely to get you is a punch.’ Lisa giggled, punching Dom’s arm playfully.
Standing in front of the Edwardian house, Lisa rummaged for her key. While, as a firefighter, Nathan workedregular shifts, he had said there were times when he might be detained on a shout and didn’t want to leave her stranded. As being stranded at Nathan’s and unable to get in would have simply meant she was ten minutes from home, she had protested. But as the intercom frequently played up, and Lisa realised the reason for Nathan’s offer of the key was his way of making a sweet gesture while tryingnot to appear to move too fast too soon, she had accepted.
Lisa walked up the stairs towards Nathan’s flat on the top floor. Her legs didn’t feel too bad, but she was looking forward to the massage Nathan had promised,maybe in front of a warm fire, with a glass of wine. The thought made her smile, as did spotting the man himself leaving the door of the flat below his. She soaked in the sightof him – trainers, jeans and a navy T-shirt that revealed honed muscles. His dark blond hair was ruffled, and he hadn’t shaved.Perfect!As he turned away from the door to continue up the stairs, she spoke.
‘And there I was thinking you were slaving over a hot oven for me.’
Nathan raised his eyebrows, his blue eyes meeting hers and a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. It was a lookshe liked.
‘Well, a broken boiler and landlord duties called, but don’t you worry, your food is ready.’
Lisa tried not to think about the still too-full feeling she had from the roast dinner, as Nathan walked down the few stairs between them. She welcomed his kiss and smiled as he motioned for her to lead the way up to his flat.
‘I’m never sure if you’re being a gentleman or if you’relooking at my bum when you let me go first.’
