Page 41 of Just the Beginning

‘A fine choice,’ Phil said. ‘Medium?’

‘Yes please.’

‘Great. I’ll let Marie know. Are you happy here, or shall I bring your drinks over to your table.’

Anya gestured to Rick that she didn’t mind and he smiled at Phil. ‘I think we’ll go to our table now. Can we bring these with us?’ He pointed at the bowls of snacks.

‘Of course. I’ll bring them with your drinks. We’ve put youover there in a quiet spot.’ Phil nodded towards an empty table in the far left corner beneath the mirrored wall.

Rick stood and offered Anya his hand as she climbed down from her stool, releasing it afterwards so he could fetch her bag from the bar. Again she was struck by the thoughtful way he looked out for her. It wasn’t for show, it just seemed to be something innate within him. What her mother would consider old-fashioned good manners.

They were just settling into their seats when Phil appeared carrying a tray. As well as their drinks and snacks he set down a plate with a cheese-topped garlic bread, its four quarters still steaming from the oven. ‘Compliments of the chef.’

‘Thank you,’ Rick said with a smile, and he waited until Phil had walked away before he raised the plate and offered it to her. ‘Do you want some?’

Several reasons to refuse popped into her head – it was swimming in garlic and there was enough melted cheese coating the top and filling the centre to block several arteries. It would be messy and greasy and there would be no way to eat it politely. Plus she always ended up with a little food belly when she ate bread. She met Rick’s eyes. Would any of that bother him?

You can always trust Rick.

‘I’m having an existential crisis about the bread,’ she admitted with a wry grin.

Scrunching up his brow, Rick set the plate down again. ‘In what way?’

She raised a hand to the sudden heat rising on her cheek, wondering why she’d said anything. ‘Because I’m worried about stinking of garlic, about not being able to eat it nicely…’ She trailed off before deciding that if she was going to be honest with him then she might as well put it all out there. ‘And about getting bloated.’

Reaching out, he ripped one of the quarters off the round loaf and held it out to her. ‘For as long as I have the privilege of spending time with you, I will always want you to eat the bread, Anya.’

The little knot of tension in her stomach unfurled. Accepting the greasy, cheesy chunk from him she ripped the corner off and stuffed it into her mouth. She chewed with relish, her cheek pouching out like a hamster’s. Eyes shining with approval, Rick tore off his own piece and joined in. God it was good. Not just the bread, though it was soft and warm, the cheese rich and creamy, the bite of the garlic adding the perfect complement. It was the fact she felt like she could be completely herself and Rick wouldn’t judge her. She’d barely swallowed the first piece before she pulled off the next, and the next. Her fingers were covered in buttery grease, and she had no doubt her chin would be shiny with it too. When she reached for the plate to help herself to her second quarter there was nothing but approval in Rick’s gaze. It made her want to lean across the table and kiss him, greasy garlicky mouth and all.

21

They walked back to the car via the promenade again. The chairs and tables were mostly empty, the drinkers having gone inside now the sun had set. The smell of fish and chips wafted on the breeze and Anya pressed her free hand to her middle. ‘I ate so much tonight that I can’t believe I’m even tempted, but I haven’t had fish and chips for years.’

‘I’ll treat you another time,’ Rick offered as they moved towards the centre of the prom to avoid a couple resting against the railings as they shovelled hot chips into their mouths with tiny wooden forks. Seagulls squabbled at their feet and the man tossed another chip towards them, sending the birds into a frenzy. With a gentle tug, Rick guided Anya in a wider arc around the people eating, and just as well he did because the next moment one of them shouted in alarm as a greedy gull flapped into the air to snatch a chip out of his fingers.

Anya reared back into Rick, a look of horror on her face. ‘I think I’ll pass on the fish and chips,’ she murmured.

‘There’s a reason we always eat ours at home,’ Rick told herwith a grin. ‘When I treat you, I can bring supper round to the summer house.’

He expected her to smile, but when she looked up at him there was a furrow etched between her brows. ‘Maybe not there.’

He could’ve kicked himself for being so stupid. Hadn’t he promised her he would keep his distance if that was what she needed? ‘Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.’

Anya’s hand pressed closer against his chest. ‘I don’t want you to think that I am ashamed of you, or that I want to keep you a secret.’

‘It’s fine, Anya. I get it.’ He wrinkled his brow as he racked his brain. ‘You’re always welcome at mine. Although that doesn’t help with the Freya situation and I doubt the idea of hanging out at my parents’ place holds much appeal either.’ Past Rick had thought he was being smart by not moving out and putting most of his money into his business rather than a mortgage. Past Rick was a dickhead.

Anya pulled a face. ‘I don’t really fancy bumping into your dad on the landing.’

He cupped her face and kissed her. ‘No, I can see why that wouldn’t appeal. Don’t worry, I’ll figure something out, and in the meantime there’s always the back seat of my car!’

He’d meant it as a joke, but there was a hint of mischief in Anya’s eyes as her hand slid down his chest and around to his back. ‘How far do the seats go back?’

Rick shifted his feet so they were either side of hers and their bodies were touching from chest to hip. ‘They fold completely flat and the rear windows have a pretty dark tint on them.’ Laughing, he placed his arm around her. ‘I can’t believe we’re talking about having sex in my car.’

‘Do you have any better suggestions?’

He racked his brain again. He could book a hotel room, but they could spend ages trying to find somewhere and Anya wouldn’t want to stay away from Freya for too long. With them both working full time and her childcare commitments, evenings like this might be few and far between. But still, this was their first date and he didn’t want her to think he was only after one thing. ‘There’s no rush, we can take our time, make sure you’re ready.’

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