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He glances at me. “Maybe.”
“Go on, spit it out.”
“He didn’t like the way Jason treated you.”
That surprises me. “Oh. I assumed you were going to say he was too arrogant or something.”
“He didn’t like that either.”
I give a short laugh. “What did he mean, the way Jason treated me?”
“He said Jason put you down sometimes. And that you were his princess and deserve to be treated like one.”
“Jesus. Grandparents.”
“I think he was warning me,” Titus says.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I say, embarrassed. “I did tell them we were just friends.”
“Heidi, I don’t mind. I happen to think he’s right. A man should always treat his girl like a princess.”
He’s looking out of the window as he says it, distracted by the view, so I don’t think he’s being sarcastic. My gaze lingers on him for a moment before returning to the road, a frisson running down my back. He says such nice things.
“How come you’re not married with six kids?” I ask.
That brings his gaze back to me. “Haven’t met the right girl.”
“Maisey wasn’t The One?”
He snorts, and I chuckle.
“Do you want kids?” I ask.
“I don’tnotwant them. They’re not on my radar at the moment. They seem like hard work.”
“Yeah. You got that right. So you’re not envious of Oliver, impregnating his girl?”
I meant to make him laugh, but instead he shrugs. “I admit to a twinge of jealousy.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. He’s getting ready to take his vows and promise to love her forever. They’re going to be joined together forever metaphorically, spiritually, whatever you want to call it, by their baby. He’s deliriously happy. So yeah, I envy him, a bit. I’d like to have that comfortable relationship. That contentment. I just don’t want all the hassle that comes before it.”
“I know what you mean,” I say with feeling. “It’s so bloody complicated. I hate dating with a passion. I think that’s why I stayed with Jason for so long. I was relieved that I’d found someone, and I didn’t have to worry about first dates anymore.”
He doesn’t reply, and so I leave it there. I signal to come off the Devon Expressway, and head toward Briarton.
“Nearly one o’clock,” I say. “We’ll have a couple of hours in, shall we? Do you need to sort out what you’re wearing for the weekend?”
“Most of my clothes are already in my main case in the car, but I can do some work for a while.”
“I’ll make us some lunch.”
“Sounds great.”
Once we’re home, I retrieve some wraps from the fridge, spread them with cranberry sauce, and add slices of camembert that I warm up in the microwave, along with a handful of green salad. Titus sits outside with his laptop, under the shade of the umbrella, and I take our plates out with two glasses of lemonade over ice, and sit and read my book while he works. After that, I close my eyes, resting my head on my hand, and doze for half an hour.
At one point, I hear a rustle as he gets up, and he quietly makes his way past me. He stops, and a shadow falls over me before I feel his lips on my hair. Then he goes inside.
