AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Beth slipped her feet into her trainers. ‘Except for falling for his bullshit.’
‘And as soon as you realised it was bullshit, you left. Quite rightly.’
Beth shook her head. ‘It took me long enough, though, didn’t it? Talk about clueless. I had no idea he had a fiancée back in Wales.’
‘You’re being too hard on yourself. Relationships are like recruiting for a job. You interview someone and they appear perfect for the position, but only time will tell if they’ll work out. Sometimes they turn out to be a model employee, and other times, they turn out to be the worst employee on the planet and you wish you’d never hired them. There’s no way of knowing which one they’ll be at that first interview. You just have to go with your gut, take a chance and hope for the best.’ Megan came over. ‘Relationships are the same. All you can do is make a decision based on what you know in the beginning and see how things develop. If they turn out to be the real deal, then great. If not, kick their sorry arse into touch. What you mustn’t do is beat yourself up about it if it doesn’t work out. That’s such a waste of a life and you’re too special not to be happy.’
Beth stood up. ‘I’m happy.’
‘But you could be happier.’ Megan took Beth’s hands. ‘Are you attracted to Matt?’
Beth shrugged. ‘He’s okay.’
‘Just okay?’
Beth wasn’t about to admit the extent of her attraction. Admitting that even the mention of his name made her insides contract wouldn’t put an end to her sister’s questioning – it would only prolong the interrogation.
‘Well, he certainly likes you.’
Beth stilled. ‘What makes you say that?’
Megan grinned. ‘The man looks at you like you’re a bowl of ice cream and he’s the spoon.’
Beth’s cheeks grew hot. The idea of Matt looking at her like she was ice cream did something strange to her insides. After all, she knew what a sweet tooth he had. She was glad of the howling wind outside, since it detracted from the tsunami raging inside her. ‘Even if what you say is true, I’m not sure I can trust him.’
‘Only one way to find out.’ Megan let go of Beth’s hands and danced away, getting into character as the whimsical heroine. ‘Trust is a gradual thing that develops over time, until you feel safe and comfortable enough to open up about your hopes and dreams, and trust that the person will accept you, faults and all, and not judge your mistakes.’
‘Oh, you mean like admitting to your fiancé the night before your wedding that you’re already married? Mistakes like that, you mean?’
‘You’re already married?’ The sound of Matt’s deep voice made them both jolt.
He was standing in the doorway, dressed as the evil Joss, Aunt Patience’s wicked tormentor of a husband and bullying innkeeper of the Jamaica Inn. Matt’s usual relaxed demeanour was absent – his rugged appearance, messy hair and huge frame gave him quite an intimidating look. The shirt he was wearing was loose-fitting and open at the neck, revealing a smattering of chest hair that did nothing to ease Beth’s unease.
His dark gaze switched between the sisters, settling on Megan. ‘You’re already married?’
Megan looked stricken. ‘It’s not what you think,’ she said, glancing at Beth, no doubt hoping for moral support.
‘So it’s true?’ His voice was low and unnervingly menacing.
‘Technically, yes,’ she said, swallowing awkwardly. ‘But I can explain—’
‘Does Zac know?’ Matt stepped into the room, his bulk blocking out the light from the doorway.
They were interrupted by their mother appearing behind him, looking flustered and still in her dressing gown. ‘Grandma Doris has gone missing,’ she said in a rush. ‘I can’t find her anywhere. A member of staff thinks he saw her heading towards the moor. I don’t know what to do – should I call the police?’
Beth ran for the door. ‘Let me look for her, she won’t have gone far. I’ll find her.’
‘I’ll come with you.’ Matt followed her.
‘I can manage.’ She sped up, eager to escape his presence.
‘I don’t want to end up searching for two lost people.’
She audibly growled. ‘Could you be any more patronising? What makes you think I’d get lost, too?’
‘It’s treacherous terrain. Even an experienced explorer could get into trouble out there. And it’s blowing a gale.’
‘I can see that,’ she said, reaching reception. ‘I’m not stupid.’
