Page 90 of The Love Position

‘That wasn’t fifteen minutes.’

‘I got diverted by something more important.’

He placed the dish in front of her.

‘Oh, my god!’ she hissed. ‘A chocolate brownie!’

He grinned. ‘I hoped you’d like it.’

‘But it’s against the ashram rules!’

‘And Swami Vishnu has a sweet tooth…’

Isaac hesitated, and Sophia had the oddest feeling he was about to lean down and kiss her.

But then he straightened. ‘Enjoy the brownie. I’ll be back in a bit.’

‘What are you going to do?’

He flashed her a smile. ‘If it works, you’ll soon see…’

‘A hammock!’

If Sophia could have put any weight on her left leg, she would have jumped up and down with delight.

‘I found it in the shed where I got my tent. It’s clean and in good condition, so I thought I’d rig it up here.’

‘Thank you!’

He’d hung it above the wooden deck outside her chalet, sheltered from the sun under the overhanging roof. Sophia wondered how she could get in without immediately falling out the other side.

‘I’ll hold it steady and you turn around and sit. Then you should be able to get your legs in.’

She gave him a look. ‘Knowing me, this could end really badly.’

‘It won’t. I’ve got you.’

The air crackled between them, full of words that couldn’t be spoken and actions that couldn’t be taken. Sophia longed to be back in the hospital, to have Isaac kiss her forehead and call her ‘love’.

He moved, holding the hammock securely in place.

Sophia gingerly backed up to it and eased herself down.

So far, so good.

Clutching the edges of the fabric, she threw her right leg in, then lifted in her left.

‘Have a shuffle about to get comfy. You can put this behind your head if you want,’ Isaac said, holding a cushion.

Sophia wriggled about, then took it from him, letting out a happy sigh. ‘Now all I need is a piña colada.’

He chuckled. ‘I’m sure there’s some alcohol stashed somewhere on the island, but unfortunately I don’t know where.’

Taking one of the chairs on the decking, Isaac sat by her feet so they could see each other, then reached out and gently rocked the hammock.

Sophia closed her eyes. ‘This is bliss, thank you.’

‘My pleasure.’

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