Page 25 of Christmas Joy at the Cornish Bakery

‘About last night...’ Standing in front of her, Jasper ran his hand across the back of his neck.

Ahh, and there it was. She felt the blood drain from her face. Ithadbeen a mistake. Too good to be true. And now he was trying to let her down gently. She shifted on her feet, averting eye contact. ‘Don’t worry, it was a mistake. I understand...’

‘Oh,’ Taking a step towards her, he tentatively took her hands in his, his skin cold against hers, warm from working in the bakery. ‘I was rather hoping it wasn’t.’

Snapping her head up, she met his gaze. She needed to know what he meant. Needed to know he was feeling as she was before she allowed hope to flood through her again. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Just that. I was rather hoping you felt something shift between us yesterday. I know I did.’

‘You did?’ She glanced down at their hands. His thumb was drawing circles against the back of her hands. It felt natural. ‘What?’

A smile flickered at the corner of his lips. ‘Something which led me to hope this could be the beginning of something between us. Something special.’

Letting out a long breath, Robyn allowed herself to smile. That was just what she’d been hoping too. ‘Same here.’

‘Good.’ leaning forward, Jasper cupped her cheeks, drawing her towards him until their lips touched.

Closing her eyes, she felt his hands wrap around her as she placed her hands behind his neck, keeping him close.

Once the kiss was over, he leaned back ever so slightly. ‘Would you let me show you that Christmas can be good?’

‘’What do you mean?’

‘My family are having a bit of a party over at my parents’ house. Will you come with me? Let me show you that happy families exist?’

‘At your parents’ house?’ She could feel the full force of a blush heat her face. She couldn’t meet his parents! They’d only just started seeing each other.

He laughed, the corners of his eyes creasing. ‘I don’t mean as in a ‘meeting my parents’ way. There’ll be other people there too, some neighbours and friends. They’ve been hosting a Christmas buffet for lunch on the day of the lantern parade for years now.’

‘Oh right. Of course.’ She bit down on her bottom lip. She wasn’t sure if she was more embarrassed now that she’d even hinted that he might be trying to introduce her to his parents than when she’d thought he actually was.

‘It’d be nice, you being there and meeting my family, though.’ He smiled.

‘I don’t know. They won’t want me. I’m just a stranger.’ She shook her head slightly. As much as her heart was screaming out for her to spend as much time with him as possible, she wasn’t sure if she was ready for this.

‘Do you trust me?’ His dark brown eyes locked with hers.

She nodded. ‘Yes.’

‘I wouldn’t ask you to come if I thought it would be awkward. It’s a super informal thing and everyone’s friendly. I just thought it would be a good excuse to spend some more time with you.’ He grinned. ‘Plus, I’m still on my mission to show you that people can really enjoy family get-togethers.’

‘Oh, okay.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I’ll come.’

‘Great!’ He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.’ ‘You sure?’

Meeting his gaze, she nodded. Why not? If there were going to be other people there besides just his family, it shouldn’t be awkward. Well,thatawkward anyway. Besides, at this precise moment in time, she’d probably do anything just to be able to spend some time with him. Since last night, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him, about the way they’d danced, his hands in hers, the kiss.

Chapter Nineteen

‘Ready?’ Jasper took her hand as he reached out his other to the wrought-iron gate in front of them.

Robyn looked up at the large Victorian terrace, all ornate brickwork, bay windows and stained glass and covered in an abundance of twinkling white fairy lights. She could tell instantly that his family must love Christmas as much as Jasper himself did. She recognised the road from when she’d been driving around, looking for the bakery when she’d first arrived, but she hadn’t ventured this way since and the Victorian terrace was completely different to the older part of the bay where the streets were lined with thatched cottages. She nodded. She could do this. She’d come this far, and she’d be happy to meet anyone if it meant spending time with Jasper. Plus, it was a way of getting to know him better.

‘Great.’ The gate exerted a slight creak as he pushed it open.

Following Jasper through the small front garden, she could hear music wafting from the house out into the street, punctuated with laughter. Whoever was in there was having fun.

As they reached the front step, Jasper paused and turned to her. ‘I apologise in advance for any daft jokes my dad makes and for the onslaught of singing from my parents’ neighbour, Mr Banbridge.’ He grimaced.

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