Page 168
Fifty-Seven
London, a month later
“You’re going to turn into a crunchy Italian nacho.” Mark pulled his baseball cap down over his eyes and swung Alex’s hand as they left Jamie Oliver’s restaurant on Upper St. Martin’s Lane. “I can’t believe you got an extra order to go.”
“They’re not for me.” Alex released his hand. “They’re for you. I made you a care package for tomorrow morning.”
Mark grinned. Love this girl!
Alex handed him the Jamie’s takeout bag and reached into her oversized carry-all, pulling out a large plastic container. “I snuck out at lunch. I got Jaffa Cakes, Nutella snack pots, water, and now these nacho bites.” She popped the lid. “Put them in here, and you’re all set for your journey. Oh, I got a football mag, too.”
“You thought of everything. Thanks, babe!” Mark wedged the bag into the container and snapped the lid shut. “I better call ahead—warn the Lairds costume department.” He laughed. “I’m gonna need bigger britches when I get to Aberdeen.” Damn early train. His smile faded. “I wish I could stay at yours tonight…”
“I know, but you’ll be closer to the station. Just make sure you set your alarm…don’t rely on Freds, okay?” Alex looped her arm through Mark’s. “At least you have something to remember me by—our lie-in this morning was…” She raised her eyebrows.
Remember? I’ve thought of nothing else all day!Mark winked. “It was!”
“Gotta leave you wanting more…so you’ll come back!”
“Deal, but only if you throw in more crispy nachos.” Mark hugged his care package and smiled, his eyes not leaving her.
“Who says I’ll share next time…Pebble?”
“Christ Almighty!” Mark jerked his head back. “Did Freddie tell you that? The lanky shite—I’ll throttle him. Actually, scratch that—I’ll Full Throttle him!”
They both laughed.
“Look, you can sniff Paddington to your heart’s content, Insta the hell out of Tower Bridge, and hog all the crispy nachos, but call me Pebble again and it’s the sofa for you, Sinclair.”
Alex stopped walking. “The sofa?”
Mark’s heart began to race. Seeking privacy, he pulled her close, behind a telephone box. “Well…yeah.” His eyes drifted away for a moment, making sure no one was listening. “We’ll have to buy one first…”
“Buy one…?” she whispered, raising a brow.
I think she’s ready, but…what if she’s not?Mark breathed deeply, hoping to calm his nerves.
“I miss leaving you love notes on our fridge. I miss making you grilled cheese sandwiches when you’re on deadline. I miss holding you when we binge-watch TV—on our sofa, not Freddie’s or Tom’s…and I think maybe you might miss those things, too…?” He broke into a grin. “We’re better together in our own flat…aren’t we?”
A smile crept across her face.
“And Harry’s old place is up for rent November 1st—”
“So, the London Fields lido, pub quizzes at the Cat and Mutton…” Alex leaned closer. “Broadway Market!”
“They’re ours, if we want them.” Holding his breath, Mark beamed. “Move in with me—again.”
“You do make a killer grilled cheese, so I could be persuaded.” Alex bounced on her toes and kissed him.
Mark let out a sigh of relief. Thank Christ! “Oh, I can be very persuasive, young lady.” He pinched her ass and laughed as they walked towards a taxi rank.
Fifty-Eight
London, fourteen months later
Join Lucy Hardy and Alex Sinclair signing
STRANGELY GIFTED
