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Chapter Sixteen
The car journey backto the bay had been quiet, silent almost, the both of them lost in their own thoughts. Diane and Molly had stayed in Trestow to meet their partners, Harry and Jude, for a drink and Evie had accepted Jack’s offer of a ride back.
Pulling up in front of the bakery, Jack pulled the handbrake up and nodded towards the beachfront. ‘Did you still fancy that stroll along the beach?’
Evie peered out of the window. The beach was empty, the light from the moon illuminating the gentle waves rolling across the sand. ‘Yes, I’d like that.’ Stepping out into the cold night air, Evie waited for him to lock the car before they both made their way down the concrete slope to the beach.
‘It’s beautiful tonight, isn’t it?’ Jack looked up at the full moon.
‘It is.’ Her trainers sank into the wet sand as she stepped off the slope. Looking across towards the ocean, she closed her eyes, listening to the rhythmic ebb and flow of the water. She’d missed this. She’d missed the way it made her feel, the cleansing of the sea breeze against her skin, the sinking of her trainers into the sand each time she moved. They walked down towards the ocean’s edge, their footprints a map on the beach behind them.
‘That was fun in the end.’
‘Yes, it was.’ Evie smiled as she thought about the group photos. Diane had been right; it had been a laugh. And an experience, one she probably wouldn’t ever do again. ‘It still feels as though I’m carrying around that heavy skirt, though. I’m sure I’m going to have bruises all over my hips tomorrow.’
‘Ouch. It looked heavy.’ Pausing, he looked at her.
Yanking the hairband holding her bun in place, she shook her hair out. ‘Wow, that feels so much better.’
Nodding, Jack began walking again.
Pulling the hairband over her wrist, Evie looked across at him and frowned. ‘What happened back at the photo shoot, the way we kissed, and now. What’s going on?’
Jack stopped and looked at her. ‘I wasn’t sure. I know you said you don’t date, and you certainly don’t believe in love. I know we kissed, but maybe we shouldn’t have.’
‘Oh.’ Swallowing, Evie looked down at the sand, digging a line in the wet grains with the toe of her trainers. ‘If that’s what you want.’
‘It’s not. It’s not what I want. I just assumed... because you said you didn’t date.’ Looking down, he shoved his hands in his pockets. ‘I...’
‘I’d like to try dating. If you would?’ She looked at him, surprised at the very words she’d spoken and met his eyes.
‘You would?’
Nodding, she smiled. ‘I can’t promise I won’t muck it up and of course, if we’re still together, I mean that is if you want to be, but if you do and we’re still together when I go back to London, I know we’ll have to make a decision then, but...’ She shrugged. ‘I guess I’m beginning to realise that maybe being in a relationship isn’t the worst thing in the world.’
‘The worst thing in the world?’
‘Yes, no. I guess I’m trying to say that after spending time with Elsie and Ian, and even Chris and Freya, maybe I’m beginning to think some people might just be able to make it work.’ She shrugged. She wasn’t even sure if it all made sense to her. She couldn’t imagine what Jack was feeling. She closed her eyes. Well, it had been worth a go. She’d tried opening her heart up a little. At least she’d tried. She felt his hand cupping the back of her neck, felt him drawing her closer, his lips against hers.
‘I believe.’ Pulling away, Jack grinned.
‘I’d like to try.’
‘Then we’ll try.’ Holding out his hand, he grasped hers, interlocking his fingers with hers.
––––––––
‘EVERYTHING OKAY, LOVE? Wendy has just gone home. Did you want to come and sit down while I finish my hot chocolate? I can get you one too?’ Elsie indicated the chair opposite her at the table closest to the coffee and cake counter as Evie clicked the bakery door locked.
‘It’s okay, I’ll make one. Thanks.’ Switching the machine on, she waited as it buzzed and whirred as it warmed up.
‘How was the photo shoot? Did you model anything in the end?’
‘It was really fun, actually. And, yes, I got coerced into wearing this huge monstrosity.’ Evie laughed as she placed her hot chocolate on the table and shrugged off her coat.
‘Was it really that bad? The dress?’ Elsie grimaced.
