Page 73 of Hook, Line and Single

‘She’s exaggerating,’ I explain, shooting Sam a warning look. ‘We got sunburned and had to rub lotion into each other’s backs.’

‘Of course you did.’ Em giggles. ‘Was this after the skinny dipping? An all-over massage to counter the all-over sunburn? Was there a happy finish?’

‘You have a dirty mind.’

‘Why, thank you.’ She bows. ‘I’m just getting it all out of my system before I go back to Mum and Dad’s. It’s been so liberating staying here, I tell you. And Jono is such a sweetie. I’m going to miss working with him in the shop.’

‘You’re always welcome to come and help out.’

‘Are you paying?’

‘No.’

‘I don’t love it that much. Anyway, I’d better get out of your hair and let you get settled in. Welcome home.’

* * *

Although it’s nice to be back at work, it’s not long before it feels like I’ve never been away at all. Em has done a great job of stock control, and I was both amused and grateful to see a table set out with ‘Em’s Gems’; with everything that happened on the cruise, I didn’t make even a small dent in my reading list so I don’t have any new ‘Ruby’s Recommendations’.

The text arrives on Wednesday, and I’m surprised how pleased I am to hear from Cameron.

Hope you’re settling back into normal life OK. If you still fancy it, we could go shooting a week on Monday? Let me know if that day is no good, and I’ll choose another one, assuming you haven’t gone off the idea completely. Cx

‘Shooting?’ Jono exclaims, horrified, when I tell him.

‘It’s his thing,’ I explain.

‘That’s as maybe, but it’s not yours. Seems a little emotionally illiterate if you ask me. When you organise a date for someone, you’re supposed to show how important they are to you by choosing something they enjoy, not doing your own thing and expecting them to tag along.’

‘It’s not a date. We’re just friends.’

‘You tell yourself that if it helps, sweetie. All I’m saying is that if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…’

‘Are you saying we can’t be friends, just because we’re the opposite sex? Who’s being emotionally illiterate now?’

‘I’m not saying youcan’tbe friends, honey. I’m just questioning whether youshouldbe friends. Does he look like the back end of a bus? Smell? Eat with his mouth open?’

‘No, no and no.’

‘Gay?’

‘No.’

‘You sound very certain.’

‘His last partner was female.’

‘OK. So he’s male, heterosexual, reasonable looking, without any obvious character flaws. He evidently likes you and, in case you need reminding, you’re pretty hot yourself, even though you’re not my type.’

‘What’s your point?’

‘Two attractive single people who like each other. Friends? I don’t think so.’

‘Friendship is all that’s on offer.’

‘Do you fancy him?’

‘Objection, your honour. I’ve already stated the boundaries of the relationship.’

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