Page 107 of The Romance Library

‘Yes.’ He kissed me softly, then glanced at his watch. ‘We don’t have long before dinner, so shall we read a couple of chapters?’

‘Sounds great!’

Whilst I reached in my bag and pulled out my book, Theo took out his thriller from his jacket.

As we curled up together on the bench, with my head resting on Theo’s shoulder, our noses buried in our books and the soothing sound of the gentle waves surrounding us, my pulse slowed and a warm feeling flooded my veins.

This was the definition of happiness.

Right here, right now, everything was perfect.

And just like my favourite romance scene, I never wanted this moment to end.

34

Theo

‘No tux today?’ Candace winked at me as Jess and I took our seats at the table.

‘Not today,’ I laughed, thinking about how overdressed I was the first night I dined here.

‘Don’t worry, sweetheart.’ Candace smiled. ‘I’m only teasing. We’re not fussed with what you wear. Just come as you are. Once we had a guy in a chicken suit and he was welcome too.’

‘A chicken suit?’ Jess frowned.

‘Yeah. Said it was fancy dress, but maybe he just liked the feel of the feathers!’ Candace laughed. ‘Anyway, my lovelies, what can I get you?’

‘Cod and chips for me,’ I said quickly. ‘Jess?’

‘Same. With a side of mushy peas.’

‘And to drink? How about a nice glass of orange squash?’

‘Perfect,’ I said. It’d been ages since I’d had that.

‘Make that two,’ Jess added.

‘Coming right up.’ Candace took our menus, then disappeared into the kitchen.

My phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and glanced at the screen. It was my brother Tom. I turned the screen face down. It was rude to take a call when I was with Jess.

‘Don’t you want to get that?’ Jess’s face creased.

‘I’m here with you. It’s my brother. I’ll call him back later.’

‘But what if it’s urgent?’

‘I know why he’s calling. Tomorrow is… it’s kind of an important day.’

‘Oh?’ Jess beamed. ‘Sounds exciting! What’s happening tomorrow?’

‘It’s…’ I inhaled deeply. ‘The anniversary of my mother’s passing.’

Jess’s face fell and I wondered whether I should’ve told her. She’d already had a stressful day and I didn’t want to make her feel bad.

‘I’m so sorry.’ She placed her hand on mine.

‘Thanks.’

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