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“You’re such an idiot,” she said, as he pulled her close to him. It was so long since anyone had held her, she nuzzled into his chest, breathing in the scent of his expensive aftershave.
“So, what do you say? Should we give it another go?”
“I guess so. But I want to take things slowly. See you every other weekend for starters maybe?”
“Kate, if you’re really serious about this, I’d need one hundred percent commitment from you.”
Kate rubbed her forehead in confusion. Shouldn’t it be her asking for one hundred percent commitment from him? He sounded genuine though, and isn’t love about forgiveness?
“And what does this one hundred percent commitment look like then?”
“You need to move back to Bath.”
“But what about this house?”
“Sell it. It needs a shit load of work doing to it anyway.”
“I’ve just done a shitload of work to it!”
“What about that kitchen? Kate, you take a pissoutside.”
“Only when guests are here.”
“And are those guests making you money?”
“It’s low season. I’ll be really busy come Easter.”
“Really? Are you sure? I can’t see why anyone would want to visit this town, it’s a dump. And anyway, Easter’s months away. What are you going to do till then? Take up knitting?”
Kate had been thinking of volunteering at the local charity shop, but thought that idea wouldn’t go down well. “This was my grandmother’s house. I don’t want to sell it.”
“Rent it then.”
“I don’t know…”
“Look, Kate, I get that I’ve treated you badly, I really do, but are you genuinely telling me you’re happy living here with that random selection of strays you’ve acquired?”
“I hope you’re not talking about my friends.”
“Yes, Kate, I am. You need a reality check. The old woman will be dead in a couple of years, and as for that bloke Bob, he hangs around you like a stray puppy. You should be living your best life right now, not stuck in the back of beyond.”
Kate couldn’t face an argument, so let his comments about Joy and Bob go. “How do I know that if I move to Bath you won’t suddenly need space again?”
“You’ll just have to trust me.”
“Trust has to be earned.”
“You’re right. How about we set a time limit on it. Give me two months to prove myself to you, and if after that time you’re still not convinced, we’ll go our separate ways for good.”
“OK. And will we see each other in that time?”
“That’s up to you. I’m pretty snowed under with work, but I’ll make time for you, if that’s what you want.”
Alex reached across and cupped Kate’s chin with his palm. He drew her towards him, their lips meeting for the first time in months. It was the moment Kate longed for. As his lips moved against hers she waited for the fizz of excitement she was expecting, but it never came. As he slipped his tongue in her mouth she felt a new sensation…repulsion? She whipped her head back and jumped out of bed.
“Sorry, I haven’t cleaned my teeth yet today.”
“Your breath is fine, come back to bed.”
