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‘Salad.’
‘Excuse me?’
‘My mum wants me to get some salad for tonight. Who the fuck eats salad at these things?’
‘People who want to eat healthy food.’
‘That better not be a dig at me and don’t go thinking it’ll be all salad and fucking goat cheese tarts when you move in.’
She taps him on the cheek. ‘Don’t worry. I know you’re a simple kind of guy.’
‘Fucking charming. Anyway, you better go and pack. Might as well move in today.’
‘You don’t have time to drop me back and get salad and help your mum.’
‘I’ve no intention of dropping you anywhere. You’re perfectly capable of driving yourself.’ He points over her shoulder and Chloe turns to see a bright red Mini at the far side of the car park. ‘Happy Christmas.’
‘Tate. What the hell have you done?’
‘It’s 1984 and fully restored so it should last you for a bit.’
Chloe can’t get any words out. It’s better than she could have ever afforded herself. The paint is immaculate. It looks like it’s just rolled off the production line. It either cost him a small fortune or he had it restored - which would have cost him a small fortune. Either way, she’s speechless.
‘How did you know?’
‘About the make? You can thank your sister for that.’
‘Hold on. When did you talk to Steph?’
‘At your party. She was kind of drunk and started rambling on about you. I think she gave me a breakdown of your entire life in half an hour.’
‘Oh dear God. I’m going to kill her.’
‘I’ve no fucking idea how she got onto cars but she mentioned your mum and how she’d bundle you both into the back of one of these and head off on beach holidays while your dad was stuck at work. Steph said you have a thing for Mini’s and apparently have been saving for one for a few years.’
‘Are you serious? She said all that to you?’
He grins. ‘That and so much more. I’ve got enough info to dip into for years. Please tell me she wasn’t making it all up?’
‘No. It’s true, but I’m still going to kill her for telling you.’ She gazes over at the car and smiles. ‘This is too much. It’s beautiful, but far too much. You can’t spend his much on me, Tate.’
‘I’m a control freak, remember. If I want to buy you a car, I’ll buy you a car. Best to go with it and not argue.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes. It’s yours so get used to it. The damn thing was a pain in the arse to restore too so it’s absolutely not going back. I bought it just before I went on tour and a mate of mine did all the work. The keys are on the ring with your house keys.’
‘Tate. I don’t know what to say. Thank you. I really do love it.’
‘Glad to hear it. How about you take it for a spin back to your gran’s, load it up with some of your stuff and bring it back to mine?’
‘Do you not want to come too?’
Tate laughs and shakes his head. ‘Eh, no. You’d need a can opener to get me in and out of that. Besides, it appears I have a date with some salad. God help me if I arrive back without it. Mum will kick my ass.’
She runs her hand over the pristine paintwork and smiles as she takes the keys out of her pocket. She finds the correct one and unlocks the door. Even the inside is immaculate. Chloe starts the engine and claps much to Tate’s amusement.
‘You okay?’
