Taking him at his word, Kate ordered bruschetta, followed by pasta, then lamb with potatoes and spinach. Unable to face wine, she decided to stick to mineral water, to the obvious disapproval of the matronly proprietor, who did a lot of tutting and chuntering when they both eschewed the wine list, seeming to take it as a personal affront as well as a slur on Italian wine. In an attempt to appease her, Kate tried to mime a hangover, at which point Will stepped in. He said something to the woman in rapid Italian, which had a magical effect. A beatific smile spread across her face and she nodded as she cast a knowing glance at Kate.
‘What did you say to her?’ she asked Will once the woman was out of earshot.
‘I told her you’re pregnant.’ Will looked very pleased with himself.
‘What?’ Kate gasped, laughing. ‘Why on earth did you tell herthat?’
‘It explains why you’re not drinking any wine. And it gives you the perfect excuse to eat for two.’
‘Are you the father?’ Kate asked.
‘Of course.’
‘Well, I don’t think she approves of you not marrying me. I caught her checking out my ring finger.’
‘She’ll probably frogmarch us to the nearest church and make me do the decent thing.’ Will laughed.
I wouldn’t mind, Kate thought longingly. ‘Anyway, what’syourstory? Why aren’tyoudrinking wine? Are you a recovering alcoholic?’
‘Ah, I couldn’t drink wine in front of you when you can’t have any – wouldn’t be fair.’
‘That’s very nice of you.’
‘I thought so. So did she, actually.’
When the proprietor came back with their antipasti, she chatted some more to Will.
‘What did she say?’ Kate asked Will, when she had bustled off again.
‘She asked whether I was hoping for a boy or a girl.’
‘And what did you say?’
‘I said I don’t mind as long as it’s healthy,’ Will said, reciting the stock reply as if by rote.
‘Good answer,’ Kate said, grudgingly. ‘Standard, but good.’
‘Ah, but I also said I’d secretly like a little girl who’d look exactly like her beautiful mother.’
‘Verygood answer.’ Kate grinned.
‘I can’t help it – I’m just crazy about you,’ Will said.
God, I wish you weren’t joking,Kate thought.
Christ, I wish I was joking,Will thought, aware that he was inserious trouble. He had never felt like this about anyone before in his life, never experienced this bizarre, heady cocktail of emotions that left him feeling scarily off-balance, at once happy and terrified. He had no idea how it had happened or when it had started – he had been right in the middle of it before he knew what had hit him. One thing he was sure of: he didn’twantto feel this way about Kate. He wanted to go back to thinking of her as Lorcan’s little sister, someone he loved as a friend, but nothing more. For starters he could stop this ridiculous flirting every time he was with her.
‘So, you and Owen!’ he exclaimed heartily – too heartily, he thought. He was trying desperately to sound casual – pleased, even. After all, that was the normal reaction to two people you liked getting together, wasn’t it? But it came out way too hail-fellow-well-met.
‘Do you like him?’ he asked hesitantly. God, he thought disgustedly, I sound like a bloody teenager. Besides, what did it matter to him if she liked Owen or not? Even though he was in love with her, it wasn’t as if he intended to do anything about it. He was being ridiculous. What did he expect? That she would always be there waiting for him if he should ever change his mind, ready to resume her teenage crush on him as soon as he clicked his fingers? He would just have to get used to the idea of Kate being with someone else. Why not Owen? At least he was better than that creep Brian. Grace would be pleased. And it couldn’t possibly matter to him, he told himself firmly. Still, he found himself waiting with bated breath for her answer.
‘Well, yes, of course I like him,’ Kate began. ‘He’s lovely, isn’t he?’
‘It’s just – I mean Owen can be a bit…’
God, he’s trying to warn me off, Kate thought, horrified. What happened to the light-hearted banter? A moment ago, Will hadbeen flirting with her and now he looked all serious and awkward. Had he brought her here to give her a talking-to about Owen, like she was some troublesome groupie?
‘I mean he’s great,’ Will continued awkwardly, ‘but with girls he’s not exactly…’ He trailed off uneasily. ‘I just don’t want you to get hurt.’
