Page 65 of The Perfect Gift

Frankie cracked her fingers and stared in amazement when she saw he was laughing. Something bubbled in her chest and she let out a giggle before she could stop herself. ‘We had a deal, Ed Penrose! Friends with benefits, that’s all this was ever supposed to be.’

He took a step towards her. ‘Situationally adjacent.’ He took another step closer and held out his hand to her. ‘Advantageously connected.’

She glared past his shoulder at his family, who were avidly watching them, their expressions a mixture of concern and affectionate amusement. ‘I’m not so sure your connections are advantageous,’ she told him.

Ed grinned as he reached for her hand. ‘Pretend they’re not there.’

There was no way in the world she could do that because they were part and parcel of the life of this man. And they’d be part and parcel of her life too if she let him carry on looking at her like that. ‘We had a deal,’ she said again, softer this time.

‘I think it’s time we renegotiated,’ Ed replied, reaching for her other hand.

‘You’re leaving the country in just over a week,’ she whispered.

‘I am. And you’ve got a film to make. But we can call each other every day.’ He pulled her hands around him until they were resting on his hips. ‘I’ve got a waterproof cover for my phone now so I can’t lose it.’

‘Will calling be enough for you?’

Ed put his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close so he could whisper in her ear. ‘I’m up for a bit of sexting too, if you are?’

Frankie shook her head even as she smiled so wide it made her cheeks ache. ‘How on earth am I ever supposed to take you seriously when you say things like that?’

He cupped her face, his blue eyes shining as he stared into hers. ‘I love you, Frankie, and I promise you can take that very, very seriously.’

‘I love you too.’

He lowered his head to hers and the moment their lips met loud cheers sounded behind them.

Frankie laughed, and not simply from the sheer absurdity of it all. Joy filled her from head to toe, so much of it she couldn’t hold it in. Ed kissed her again, taking the sound into his mouth, turning it into something closer to a moan. Frankie held on to Ed and everything faded away until there was nothing left, only him and her and the beating of their hearts.

‘Right!’ she heard Jago declare in a loud voice. ‘Enough of that. Everyone, it’s Trivial Pursuit time! Frankie, you’re on my team. I need someone who’ll be good at the entertainment questions.’

A burst of conversation broke out as everyone else decided which teams they were going to be on. Ed kissed her once, twice and then raised his head with a reluctant sigh. ‘I suppose we should go back in.’

‘I suppose we should.’

He hooked an arm around her shoulders and guided her towards the open patio door. ‘I should warn you that board games are a competitive sport in this family.’

She tilted her head back and grinned up at him. ‘Just as well I’m a quiz fiend, then, isn’t it?’

Ed’s eyes sparkled in amusement as he swooped her up into his arms and carried her over the threshold. ‘I have a feeling you’re going to fit in perfectly around here.’

Frankie leaned her head against his chest. For the first time in her life she felt like she would too.

EPILOGUE

Ed stood on the dockside aiming a hose at Calypso Dream’s sleek white hull. He’d been banished there by Marcel, their captain, who said he was sick of the sight of Ed mooning about the place. He reached into the pocket of the smart tailored shorts that together with his pale grey polo shirt were part of his crew uniform. They didn’t have to wear it every day, but Marcel insisted everyone looked smart on boarding day to enhance their guests’ experience.

With only a dozen double-berths for visitors, Calypso Dream was small enough to navigate into unspoiled harbours and coves away from the tourist hotspots, but large enough to offer a comfortable crossing as they travelled between islands. Their itinerary for the coming fortnight was an exploration of the coast of St Maarten and its neighbouring island of Anguilla. Two of the expected couples had already arrived and were enjoying a glass of ‘welcome aboard’ bubbly on the rear deck area. Frankie had texted him an hour ago to say her plane had landed okay, and she should’ve been here by now.

A car horn beeped and Ed’s head immediately swivelled to the car park at the end of the dock. He turned off the hose, dropped it and was already moving before Frankie emerged from the back of the taxi. She must’ve spotted him because her arm rose to wave and before he knew it Ed was running full tilt along the dock.

Taking the steps two at a time, he didn’t stop until she was in his arms and he was swinging her around in a circle. ‘I thought you’d got lost!’ he exclaimed as he lowered her to her feet and pressed a kiss to her lips.

‘The traffic was terrible, but I’m here.’ She laughed. ‘I can’t believe I’m finally here! I missed you so much.’

‘I missed you too.’ Ed claimed another quick kiss before reluctantly stepping back. ‘Come on, let’s get your stuff and get you on board.’

Frankie paid off her taxi while Ed unloaded her things from the boot. She’d only brought a small suitcase and a rucksack. ‘You finally learned to pack light,’ he teased her as he shouldered the backpack and picked up her case.