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‘I think you’re being overly nice, considering he mugged you off for Nina.’
‘We’ve got to keep on good terms for the farmer’s market. I’m thinking business and not clouding my thoughts with emotions.’
‘Well if you can handle it – fair play.’
‘I’m a bit nervous about seeing him, though.’
‘’Cos you fancy the pants off him?’
‘No. Because I showed myself up.’ Holly flushed red at the memory. ‘I must have looked a right idiot, storming off like that when we’re just business associates.
‘I think you were more than that, hun. What about the smooch at the award’s night?’
‘It wasn’t a smooch. It was a dance.’
‘Flippin’ ‘eck, love, if I was pressed up to that body on the dance floor after a month’s drought, I’d be gagging for it.’
Holly laughed. ‘No doubt you’ve been keeping Julian busy?’
‘Don’t try and change the subject.’
Holly heard the familiar yaps of Trixy. ‘He’s here already. I best go.’
‘Tits and teeth, hun.’
‘What?’
‘Smile and stick your chest out. Let him see what he’s missing.’
Holly laughed. ‘You’re so bad.’
‘Yes, and that’s why you need me, chick.’
Holly ended the call, took a deep breath and opened the door before Mitch knocked. She smiled brightly, deciding to stick to the teeth bit. ‘Hi.’ Trixy jumped up at her and she picked the little dog up ruffling the hair on her head. Trixy brought a warmth to her heart that she welcomed.
Mitch had Trixy’s soft bed under one arm and a full heavy-duty shopping bag hanging off the other. ‘I’ll bring this lot up – it’s heavy.’
Stepping aside, Holly gave him space to pass.
‘Thanks.’ Mitch put the bag down, gesturing at its canine-related contents. ‘There’s food, bowls, a ball and a spare lead.’ Mitch scanned the caravan. ‘And where do you want the bed?’
Holly shrugged her shoulders, noticing that Mitch, whilst cordial and polite, was not being his usual jovial self. He had not smiled at all, which was good. She knew how her body reacted when he grinned at her. ‘Leave it by the sofa for now.’
‘Thank you for agreeing to do this, I really appreciate it. She eats dried food first thing, then wet food at lunch and in the evening.’
Holly thought that Mitch seemed to be avoiding eye contact.Maybe he feels bad?she thought.He had certainly been in chattier moods.She had the whole speech ready, about misunderstandings and keeping things simple, that they would make great business partners but would keep it business only. But with him acting so polite and not at all personal, she found it difficult to broach the subject.
Noticing a silence had fallen, she lifted her lips in a smile. ‘Would you like a drink?’
‘No thanks. I’m setting off to pick up the hire car for the trip.’
‘Okay. Have a great time with your family.’ Holly saw something shift in his expression.
Mitch gazed at her as if searching for something. ‘Thanks, Holly.’
Holly felt a warm glow. ‘Don’t worry about me – I have my guard dog.’ She pointed at Trixy, who had got into the dog bed and fallen asleep.
They both laughed and she felt the mist between them lift.
‘Well, I’d better be off.’ Mitch stepped forward and she thought he was going to embrace her, then he quickly stepped back and left.
‘See you in a week,’ she called after him.
Watching as he strode away, she wondered what was going on in his mind.
