“It’s gone cold though it’s still delicious.” She took another bite repeating the sounds and facial expressions. She had no idea what she was doing to him.
Distracting himself, he unwrapped his and took a bite. The delicious flavours burst in his mouth. Thick bread, smoked bacon, melted provolone cheese and some kind of amazing sauce.
“Told you it was good,” she said around a mouthful of food.
After finishing their meals and washing it down with wine that was surprisingly good, they gathered their rubbish and put it in the bags.
Leaning back on his elbows, he stared out at the view. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed something so simple. As a kid, he’d been determined to pull his family out of poverty, he forgot to stop and enjoy what was around him.
“Why does slumming it scare you so much?” she asked.
It was like she was reading his thoughts. “I just appreciate—”
“The finer things. Yeah, you said. Even though I’ve only known you a few days, judging by the designer trousers and shirts you always wear, you don’t seem to be a jeans and t-shirts kinda guy. And every time I’ve suggested dinner without a five-star rating, you look like I’ve killed your cat.”
He smiled at her joke but an ache squeezed his chest. “I guess it comes back to what happened when I was younger.”
“What was that?” she asked when he didn’t say anything else.
“My dad. He died when I was twelve.”
Holly placed a hand on his arm. “I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah. He was on a fishing trip with mates. The boat capsized, he wasn’t wearing a life jacket and he drowned.”
“That’s horrible. You must have been devastated.”
“It was rough. He was a great father.” A ghost of a smile curved his lips. “He didn’t have life insurance and Mum was left with a huge mortgage and debt. Apparently, he wasn’t great with finances. Anyway, Mum worked two jobs and worked damn hard to keep a roof over our heads. As soon as Aiden and I were old enough, we got jobs after school to help out. Kids at school teased us for being poor and fatherless and I promised myself I’d never see my mother struggle again. Or be reminded of that time in my life.”
“Not without any emotional scars,” Holly said intuitively. “My choices of food had you nearly running for the hills. Why?”
“For a long time, sandwiches were all we could afford to eat.” Pouring more wine in their cups, he took a long swallow. “Since getting paid as an actor, I’ve never looked back nor do I want to. These toasties are an exception.”
Even though Holly smiled, he could see the concern in her eyes. “Have you always wanted to be an actor?”
He made a scoffing sound. “It never crossed my mind. I got a role in my high school play because the girl I had a crush on had a part. I was hoping for a kissing scene.” He winked.
Holly laughed.
“One of the kid’s parents was a talent scout and approached me after the show. Apparently, my good looks.” He wiggled his eyebrows and she rolled her eyes. “She could get me a lot of work. She set me up with an agent and I landed a bunch of commercials. I thought I’d hit the jackpot. Then I scored a part in a TV show over in the U.S and my commercials looked like small change. I began auditioning for films and fell in love with the whole process. By then, I’d well and truly been bitten by the acting bug and couldn’t stop if I tried. And I was making enough money, my family would never have to eat another stale sandwich again.”
“Sorry.” Holly gestured to the sandwich bags. “If I’d known I would have chosen different places.”
He held onto her hand and linked their fingers together. “You were right, though. I’ve become a snob. I’ve been so caught up in having money and what it can buy, I’ve forgotten how to enjoy the simpler things. I’m still trying to prove to people who really shouldn’t matter that I’m not the poor fatherless kid anymore.”
Sliding closer to him, Holly placed her head on his shoulder. He drew comfort in this small gesture. It wasn’t easy talking about his old life. Holly made him feel he could open up to her about anything—well, almost anything. They both sat in silence and stared over the dark water, listening to the small waves hitting the rocky ledge. He’d only known Holly for a couple of days, and he’d talked about his childhood. It was the blackest times in his life he couldn’t voice—not even to Holly. The years of depression he hadn’t told anyone about. The days when life got so hard it was like waking up and walking through quicksand. The more he tried, the deeper he sank. Some days he could still be brought back to that place. The strength of Holly’s body pressed against his lessened the feelings of despair.
* * *
Holly’s heart ached for the young boy who felt he needed to support his family. And for the man who was still stuck in those memories.
Now she understood the expensive clothes, fancy restaurants and fast cars. It was because he didn’t want to be reminded of a time when he had nothing.
Holly had never lacked for things growing up, she had way more than she ever needed. It was only in the past five months that she’d learned what it was like to wonder how far her money could stretch and to be careful where she spent it. And it was difficult. She couldn’t imagine how a child dealt with such a burden. Obviously, not very well if Ethan couldn’t stand the sight of a sandwich.
Holly’s phone buzzed intruding on their quiet sanctuary, and she pulled it out of her pocket.
“Unbelievable,” she spat. Another text from Oliver. Holly had made herself perfectly clear during their phone conversation that she never wanted to hear from him again.
