Page 39 of Not So Very Sensible

“As tempting as that sounds, I do have work tomorrow.”

“You and your work obligations.”

“I know, right? Crazy that something called ‘work’ isn’t as fun as going away, but there you have it. Such is life.”

Katie’s lips peaked up on one side for a moment, and she glanced around.

Ellie glanced across at where Ethan was bringing over the hot drinks. Was Katie included on his invitation to high tea too? Katie wasn’t exactly in the best of moods to encourage deep and meaningful conversation, and asking Ethan would be awkward. But she did want to stretch out the time she had with him.

Ethan placed a hot mug of green tea in front of Katie, scoring a muttered “thanks,” then resumed his seat.

He glanced at Ellie. “So, have you asked her yet?”

“About?”

“About the high tea.” He turned to Katie. “Would you like to join us?”

Katie’s glance swivelled back to Ellie. “You’re having another high tea? With him?”

“He asked me this morning.”

Katie frowned. “What kind of man books high tea?”

“Wow. Rude, Katie,” Ellie murmured. But while overly blunt, her sister did raise a good point. Nearly all of the bookings for high tea at The Silver Teapot were made by women, so it was unusual for a man to do that.

Ethan coughed. “It was a package add-on, and I forgot that my friend who got sick must’ve added it to our deal.”

“I hope your friend is feeling better now,” Ellie said.

He nodded. “Yep.” He sipped his coffee, then glanced at Katie. “So is that a yay or a nay?”

“As tempting as it is to neigh like a horse, I won’t.”

“Phew,” Ellie muttered.

Ethan chuckled. “You can if you like. No judgement. Well, no judgement out loud, at least.”

That earned him a more genuine smile from Katie, who sipped her tea, then glanced at Ellie, eyebrows raised.

Ellie pressed her lips together but refused to give a hint. What she’d like would be for Katie to leave them alone, but she sensed things were strained between them enough already and didn’t want her sister any more upset with her.

“I can take a hint. Fine. I’ll go read my murder mystery by the fire while you two have your high tea.”

Now was when Ellie was supposed to protest and insist she join them. But she didn’t want to.

“If you’re sure,” Ethan said, in that easygoing way he had. “I think they’d probably need a bit more than an hour’s notice if an extra person was added.”

Katie peered at her, then snatched up her tea and apple and stood. “I can tell when I’m not wanted. So, I’ll go back and finish packing and take our stuff out to the car while you two keep talking.”

“It’s not like that,” Ellie protested now.

“What is it like?”

Ellie glanced at Ethan. “I don’t know.”

Ellie’s words hit him in the heart. He didn’t know what this was either, only that he wanted to spend more time with Ellie and wasn’t above snatching at any excuse to have her stay. And while the high tea was an add-on he hadn’t realised was added on, he was grateful—for once—for Lucinda’s extravagance and selfishness, which meant that for once things were working out in his favour.

“I’m already packed, but I can help with the bags,” Ellie said.