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“Is everything okay?”
“Yep. Just a couple of friends I made on my travels checking in.”
“You don’t look so happy about it,” I remark, unlocking the door and pushing it open. He steps into The Shack behind me and hands me his hoodie to hang up next to my bag and jumper in the small office at the back of the shack.
“Just out of the blue, that’s all. They’ve asked me to meet them in Canterbury in a week’s time.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s where my friends are at University. Are you planning on going?” I ask, whilst pulling out the ingredients for the couple dozen English breakfasts we’re going to have to prepare. It feels good to have a distraction. I don’t want to be inside my head today.
Peter leans against the counter, chewing on his lip, a flop of messy, blonde hair falling into his eyes. “That all depends…”
I meet his gaze and can’t fail to miss the hope that lights within his grey eyes. “On what?” I ask, feigning ignorance when I know what’s coming.
“On whether you’d come with me? It would just be a few days, tops, and then we’d come back. I know you don’t like leaving the island,” he adds in a rush.
Correction. I haven’t left the island ever. Sighing heavily, I place the box of eggs on the counter and start cracking them into a bowl one by one. “I’m sorry, Peter. I can’t…”
“Can’t because you don’t ever want to leave the island, or can’t because you don’t want to go anywhere with me?”
I wince. “You’ve been a good friend, and I enjoy your company…”
Peter nods. “It’s okay. I know when I’ve been friend-zoned, but you can’t blame a man for trying.”
“You’re not mad about last night?” I let out a sigh of relief. Hurting him wasn’t my intention.
“I can’t possibly be mad at you, Connie,” he responds, the slightest look of something close to annoyance flashing across his face, but it’s gone before I can question it. “We’ll go to Canterbury and have some fun… asmates. Perhaps we could meet up with your friends too, make it a proper hook up? Besides, I’m not giving up. At some point you’re not going to be able to resist my charms.” He kisses both his pecs, then winks, drawing the first smile out of me all morning. “Come on, let’s get those breakfasts ready.”
Half an hour later The Shack is filled to the brim and buzzing with news of a great haul. Apparently, the ocean has been good to the fishing crews.
“That’s the last of the orders,” Peter says to me as he leans over the counter and hands me a slip requesting a bacon sandwich and a cup of coffee.
“Perfect. Give me a couple of minutes.”
He waits patiently whilst I fry the bacon and slice two slabs of white bread, slathering a thick layer of butter onto both pieces. When I’ve added the bacon and cut the sandwich in half, handing over the mug of coffee, Peter delivers them to the remaining customer with a smile on his face and friendly chat on his lips. We work together well, Peter and I, and I can’t help but wonder whether I’d feel any differently towards him if I’d never met Malakai. He’s funny, smart, handsome, and Grandma Silva likes him.
Maybe I should take him up on his offer.
Maybe Ishouldleave the island and give Malakai a taste of his own medicine.
It’s only a couple of days, right?
“Penny for your thoughts?” Peter asks me, as we stand side-by-side washing and drying the plates after the last punter leaves. I plaster on a smile and nudge him gently with my arm to move him away. He’s gotten close, and whilst I’m not weirded out by it, I don’t want to give him the wrong impression.
“Just looking forward to taking a swim in the ocean. It’s hot today.”
“We’ve got time before the lunchtime rush...” he offers.
“Lola will be back by then, you don’t need to be here,” I remind him.
He shrugs. “I want to be. Besides, if we’re going for a swim, I may as well have lunch here afterwards.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I say, giving him a half smile.
Twenty minutes later, we’re closing up shop when I hear the familiar rumble of a low voice and the almost scratchy sound of my Grandma’s. She’s pissed off and it always shows in the pitch of her voice.
Shit.
Casting a look over my shoulder I can see Grandma Silva and Malakai standing at the end of the harbour beside his boat. She’s pressing a finger into his chest and he’s glaring at her. The top of her head might only reach the middle of his chest, but his height and overbearing presence doesn’t faze her in the slightest.
