Page 31 of Just the Beginning

Rick watched her sashay over to a table by the window that offered a view out onto the beach. When he turned back to Issy she was studying him with a frown. ‘What?’ He’d meant it to sound casual but failed miserably.

‘I was just wondering if you had romantic designs on my friend, Frederick Penrose.’

It was on the tip of his tongue to deny it, but honestly who was he trying to kid? ‘And if I did?’

Issy’s face broke out into a beaming smile. ‘I’d say it’s about bloody time. After that pig of a husband, she deserves a decent man like you.’

‘That’s it?’ he asked, having expected a lecture on being mindful of Anya’s feelings after everything she’d been through. Not that he needed to be told to tread carefully. When it came to Anya, Rick would always put her needs above his own.

She nodded. ‘That’s it. Now, what are you having?’

‘Um, a chicken salad, please, and a large black coffee.’

‘I’ll bring them over in a minute.’

Buoyed by Issy’s support, Rick was full of confidence as he joined Anya at their table. ‘What are you smiling at?’ she asked as he sat down.

‘Just something Issy said.’ He took a deep breath and decided to go for it. ‘As you can only stay for a quick coffee now, I was wondering if perhaps you might like to do something else another time.’

Anya huffed an amused laugh. ‘You sound like you’re asking me out on a date.’ When he didn’t say anything, her eyes grew round as saucers as his intention sank in.

The anticipation in his stomach turned from a champagne fizz to a lead weight. ‘It’s a silly idea, forget I said anything.You’ve got enough going on, I’m sure, what with looking after Freya and?—’

The stream of words cut off as she covered his hand with hers. ‘Shh. Just hush a minute and let me think, okay?’

‘Okay.’ Rick didn’t move a muscle. His hand was alive with sensation, the soft heat of her palm resting on the back of it like a promise he didn’t quite dare to believe.

‘You’re right about me having to think about Freya,’ she said eventually, making his tender shoots of hope shrivel.

‘It’s fine,’ he said, pulling his hand out from underneath hers. ‘I completely understand.’

‘Didn’t I tell you to hush, just now?’ she asked him in something of an exasperated tone. ‘Now put your hand back and let me finish.’ Trying to keep his face serious, Rick laid his hand back on the table, his pulse thudding as she placed hers back on top of it. ‘As I was saying, there’s Freya to consider, so I won’t be able to go out much in the evenings, but you’d be very welcome to come for dinner again. Or I could get some popcorn and we can sit and watch a film on theTVand pretend we’re at the pictures.’

Rick flipped his hand over so they were palm to palm. He closed his fingers around hers, liking the way her smaller hand sheltered within his. ‘Sounds perfect.’

16

‘Here are your coffees and your salad,’ Issy said, startling not only Anya but Rick, judging by the way he snatched his hand out of hers. Anya didn’t take offence as she’d done exactly the same thing.Good grief, what had come over her just now, holding hands with him in public where anyone could see them? Clearly Issy had seen more than enough, from the way she was grinning as she placed everything on the table.

‘Give me a shout when you want me to make up your sandwiches, okay?’ Not content with that cheesy grin, she actually winked at Anya.

‘Thanks,’ she muttered, looking away before her entire face burst into flames. She immediately locked eyes with a pair of older ladies who didn’t even pretend to hide their interested stares. My God, it would be round the village in no time! Panicked adrenaline sent Anya shooting to her feet. The sudden movement made the legs of her chair scrape on the floor, the sound drawing more eyes in their direction. ‘Actually, I’d better get back, so if you can make those sandwiches up for me now,please?’ She pressed a hand to the sudden tightness in her chest.

Issy frowned. ‘You haven’t even touched your coffee…’

‘Now, please?’ Anya begged.

Clearly sensing her unease, Issy nodded and hurried back to the counter.

‘Is everything okay?’ Rick had his hands braced on the table as he stared up at her.

‘Oh God, don’t you get up too; everyone’s already staring at us!’ she hissed at him.

Rick’s mouth twitched at the corner. ‘I doubt that they are, but what does it matter anyway? We haven’t done anything wrong; we’re just two friends having a cup of coffee together.’

Anya shot him a beseeching look. Why didn’t he understand how serious this was? ‘I can’t be the centre of attention, Rick. I just can’t.’

The half-smile that had been teasing his lips immediately fell away. ‘Of course. I should’ve thought, I’m sorry. If you want to forget about?—’

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