Page 127 of I Knew You Were Trouble

‘I know.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes.’

‘Well, good. Because our time in Verona last weekend… that was…everything. And not just because of the sex,’ I hasten to add. ‘I mean, the sex was amazing, don’t get me wrong. You’re the best lover I’ve ever had but?—’

His mouth quirks.

‘I’m going to shut up now.’

‘Don’t. I like it,’ he says with a grin.

‘Only because I’m complimenting your sexual prowess,’ I retort.

He shrugs, earnest again. ‘So, you forgive me for being an idiot?’

‘I wouldn’t say you were anidiot,’ I reply.

‘Well, that’s what Ady called me when she told me off.’

‘Adriana told you off?’ I ask, taken aback. Even after the shock wore off, she didn’t seem enthused about the idea of me and Willem together.

‘Mm-hmm,’ he replies. ‘She told me you were just venting – and that I was being an idiot.’

I bark out a laugh. ‘Your sister is rather…forthright.’

‘She is, especially when she knows she’s right.’ We exchange a smile. ‘Kate, you’re not the only one who’s been living half a life.’

The way he’s expressed it – living half a life – resonates so strongly, it thrums through me. Because isn’t that what prompted me to engage a matchmaker in the first place: recognising that there was more to life than my work and visits home and the odd mini break with Margot?

If only I hadn’t convinced myself thatJonwas the gateway to a fuller life.

Although, if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met Willem.

‘What’s happening in there?’ he asks, pointing to my forehead.

‘Is it that obvious?’

‘When you’re deep in thought? Yes.’

His eyes bore into mine, as if he’s seeing right into the heart of me, and I don’t mind one bit.

‘I liked the way you put that, about living half a life. And then I was chastising myself about Jon. And then it occurred to me that if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have met you.’

‘The only good thing to come from all of this,’ he says.

‘Not theonlygood thing,’ I reply, and his head tilts in interest. ‘I also met Adriana and Lucia, and I get the sense we’ll be friends –goodfriends.’

He smiles.

‘And I’ve been to Verona now. I’ve discovered a whole new city to fall in love with. Oh?—’

Fall in love with…

I inhale sharply and look down at the tabletop.

‘Kate?’ His voice is soft, hesitant,vulnerable. I look up. ‘Do you think… could we maybe start fresh? Without all the…’ He seems to struggle to find the right word.

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