“You know he’s been sniffing around the pub, asking Mae what he can do to help with the fair.” Frankie squeezed her shoulder. “I think he’s trying to impress you.”
“He can do all he wants to help. Won’t make a difference.” Pippa exhaled heavily; her thoughts chaotic. It felt wrong to be discussing Alex when she could still smell Wolfie on her skin.
“Amen to that,” Frankie snorted.
Just as he said that, Wolfie emerged from the library. He was stretching, his T-shirt riding up to show his rock-hard torso. He saw Pippa and broke into a stupefied smile, quickly rearranging his face when he clocked Frankie standing behind her. Even though it had been very little time since she’d last seen him, Pippa felt a rush, like it had been too long. In the half-light of the hallway, she saw a line of sinew stretching down his neck and she thought how she’d like to run her tongue down it. She noticed Frankie watching her curiously and rearranged her face into what she hoped was a neutral, non-lust-dazed expression.
“Hi.” Wolfie walked over to shake her cousin’s hand. “Wolfie Squires.”
“Pippa’s cousin, Francis Munro.” Frankie grinned. “But call me Frankie. I hope you don’t mind my boyfriend geeking out about your house?”
“Geeking professionally,” Theo corrected Frankie as he wandered back into the hallway. “I love the view from the living room,” he called over to Wolfie.
“Er, thanks,” Wolfie said, bemused.
“Theo does a lot of work with old buildings,” Pippa explained quickly. “He’s been dying to visit, and I thought you wouldn’t mind.”
“You thought right, Pippa Munro. How’s the ankle by the way?” Wolfie’s attempt at nonchalance failed; he was thoroughly unable to hide the hunger in his eyes. Pippa stifled a grin, not daring to look at Frankie, although she knew full well her cousin’s stunning skills of perception would see right through hers and Wolfie’s lame attempt at subterfuge.
In reply to Wolfie’s question, she wiggled her foot. The joint was a little sore, and she’d have to watch her step, but it didn’t seem that bad. “Well, I can walk on it, so that’s an improvement.” She couldn’t resist teasing him. “I think being on my back for hours really helped.”
Wolfie’s lips twitched. “Glad to hear it.”
“You hurt your ankle?” Frankie asked her, his gaze darting quickly between the two of them.
Pippa nodded. “I’m fine, don’t worry.” She met her cousin’s eye and inwardly groaned as suspicion bloomed across his face, soon followed by glee. He’d totally guessed.
“Great, great. So, Wolfie.” Frankie’s tone was mischievous. “You’re selling up?”
Wolfie dragged his gaze from Pippa’s mouth to Frankie. “I am.”
“That’s a shame,” Frankie said. “I bet you’re really, really going to miss this place. And certain people.”
“Frankie…” Pippa warned. “Leave it.”
“I’m only saying.” Frankie’s eyes were wide with affected innocence. “I’d have thought there’s plenty of reasons for a man like you to stay in Hurst Bridge.” He slung an arm over Pippa’s shoulders, ogling her blatantly. “Isn’t there?”
Pippa wanted to crawl into a hole with the embarrassment. As powerful as her feelings for Wolfie were, things between them were too new for any suggestion of him staying in Hurst Bridge. And there was the real possibility that Frankie’s goading could push Wolfie away. “Ignore him, Wolfie,” she said quickly. “Frankie just loves to stir.”
“No, it’s okay,” Wolfie assured her. “Um, I haven’t really thought about what happens after the sale. But….” He bit his lip and Pippa felt every inch of her strain in anticipation of what came next. He offered a tentative grin. “You never know.”
“You don’t?” Pippa squeaked. What didthatmean? Her phone rang and she reached for it, glad for the distraction. In her haste, her thumb slipped and hit the speakerphone function.
“Hi, love.” Alex’s voice echoed through the hall. Although Pippa wasn’t looking at Wolfie, she could sense his face falling.
“Alex? Wha—?” Clumsily, she jabbed at the screen until the speakers were off. Cursing Alex for his habitual affectation she moved away from Wolfie, forcing herself to sound calm. “What is it?”
“You have a moment?” he asked. “I need to confess something.”
“Oh God.” Pippa wasn’t in the mood for any more revelations from him.
“Don’t panic, don’t panic,” he chuckled. “I hinted at it when I came up to Squires the other day, but I thought you should know I’ve decided to volunteer with the fair.”
“Oh?” Pippa tried to sound surprised.
“Yes,” he said. “I want to help. It’s important to you.”
Pippa was torn. On the one hand, they did need all the help possible. On the other, she had very little desire to rub shoulders with Alex on a regular basis, especially if he thought his volunteering might result in them reigniting their relationship. “I see.”
