Page 32

He smiled and stood as she came back to the table. ‘Ready?’

‘Yes.’ She smiled back, and he tried not to notice that she’d reapplied whatever it was that made her lips look so glossy and kissable.

She slipped her hand through his arm as they headed to the door, and he felt a flush of warmth at her touch. ‘Are you sure you want to go home now?’

Her forehead crinkled in a way that made her look even more adorable. ‘I wasn’t planning on going home just yet. Unless you’re trying to get rid of me already?’

‘No, not at all.’ He fumbled over his words. ‘But you said you wanted to head back to the village …’

‘Because I wanted to relax and have a few drinks with you. Somewhere you can join in too, if you want, and not worry about driving us back. Which I really appreciate by the way.’ She squeezed his arm. ‘I was thinking if we drove back to yours, we could drop your car off and walk to The Brockle’s Retreat, and then share a few drinks. What do you think?’

‘I think that sounds like a plan.’ It really sounded like perfection, but he didn’t want to come on too strong and scare her off by admitting that.

Evelyn paused at the garden gate, and took a moment to sniff the collar of the coat Jake had insisted on wrapping around her shoulders, over the top of her light jacket. Though she’d protested that he’d be cold and she was fine, the weight over her shoulders combined with his slightly spicy scent made her feel warm and comforted in a way she hadn’t felt for a very, very long time. And she didn’t want the feeling to end. Her fingers were still laced through Jake’s, though she couldn’t remember when their hands had sought each other out.

‘I’ve had a really good night.’ She turned to face him. ‘Thank you.’

‘You’re more than welcome. I’ve really enjoyed myself too.’ He stepped closer to her, and Evelyn felt warm from head to toe as she met his gaze.

‘I should go in,’ she admitted reluctantly.

‘You probably should.’ He stepped even closer until there was barely an inch between them. ‘I want to see you again. Will you say yes?’

Evelyn’s heart thudded in her chest so loudly that she was amazed Jake couldn’t hear it. Her breath caught in her throat as he leaned down, so close that she could feel his breath tickling her lips in the most delicious way.

‘Please say yes.’ She could see the smile in his eyes in the light of the streetlamps. ‘Say you’ll let me take you out again.’

‘Yes, please.’ Evelyn smiled, her voice barely a whisper.

‘Thank goodness,’ Jake breathed. ‘I’m not sure what I would have done if you’d said no.’ He reached up and gently stroked her cheek while watching her closely. After a few seconds he cradled her face between his hands and leaned in to brush his lips against hers in the sweetest and most delicate of kisses. He pulled back and studied her for long moments, looking for something in her eyes. He must have found whatever it was, because he leaned in and kissed her again, gently teasing his lips over hers.

Evelyn groaned slightly and parted her lips as Jake intensified the kiss. Her hands slid up his back and her fingers slipped into his dark hair, burying themselves in the silky locks as she pulled him closer and pressed tightly against him.

‘Wow.’ He broke the kiss reluctantly and rested his forehead against hers, his hands still cupping her face as he caught his breath.

‘Yeah.’ She bit her lip to try and keep from giggling like a silly schoolgirl, and reluctantly let her hands slide down his neck and shoulders to rest on his forearms. She had to bite back a whimper of complaint as he slowly let his hands drop as well, and stepped back slightly, leaving her feeling cold.

‘I really should be going. And you should probably be getting in.’ His eyes sparkled with amusement. ‘Before I give in to the temptation to do something undignified, and give your neighbours something to really gossip about.’

‘I guess nothing changes in village life,’ she replied, thinking that maybe she wouldn’t mind being the topic of local gossip, especially if it involved more kisses like that.

‘Yeah.’ He laughed. ‘Goodnight, Evelyn.’ He leaned back towards her and placed a sweet and gentle kiss on the corner of her mouth.

‘Goodnight,’ Evelyn whispered against his cheek before shrugging off his coat and handing it back to him. She walked up her mum’s garden path, still feeling his kiss on her lips, let herself in, and gave a shy wave. As she closed the door, she could have sworn she saw him do a fist pump into the air. She shook her head, smiling, as she took off her shoes. She was already missing the way he so carefully held her – like she was something incredibly precious.

It was a feeling she thought she could get used to.

Chapter Eight

The belch echoed around the table, and Summer covered her face. ‘I’m so sorry.’

‘That’s pathetic.’ Jake took a gulp of his drink, and let rip with a much louder, far ruder sounding burp.

Summer stared at him in open-mouthed shock, before cracking up laughing.

‘I don’t know which one of you is worse.’ Linda shook her head as she helped Evelyn clear away the plates and stack them in the dishwasher.

‘He is!’ Summer giggled. ‘His was bigger and on purpose. Mine was just a little oopsie burp.’