Page 36 of Valentine Nook
I’m trying not to stare, but standing this close, I can see how clear the blue of his eye is. Not a fleck or swirl of green present, just pure blue. It’s hypnotizing.
“If you two don’t mind, I need to find someone to deal with all these ribbons,” Eddie says, clearing his throat. “Your Grace, you want anything else added?”
Lando shakes his head, breaking our connection. “No thanks, Eddie, this’ll all be superb. I’ll pop back later, and we can discuss the cricket.”
“No problem. See you later. Bye, ’Oliday.”
I lift my hand to wave goodbye, only to find I’m still holding Thunder’s reins, and I pass them back to Lando.
Thumbing over my shoulder, I say, “I should go?—”
“Where are you heading?”
“To find a coffee.”
“Then you need to go to The Beanery. We’ll come with you.”
I glance down at the Labrador and up at Thunder, then back at Lando. Surely, he doesn’t mean all of them? But he does, and the four of us start walking down the street in silence, except for theclip-clopof Thunder’s hooves.
I’msilent because I’m figuring this must be a super weird sight for anyone passing us, though no one seems to notice. They’re too busy darting between stores or admiring the hanging baskets overloaded with blooms. But I don’t know why Lando’s silent, and it’s got me curious, especially as I’m sure he keeps opening his mouth to speak only to close it again.
I figure I’ll just wait. I’m waiting until we almost reach the coffee shop.
“Actually,” he begins. “I’m glad I ran into you, I wanted to apologize for you know . . . my behavior. I should have done so yesterday. I was exceptionally rude to you the other day, and I’m sorry. And you’re welcome to have lessons with Pierre whenever you want. I’m sure he’ll welcome the change.”
Air hisses through his teeth as he puffs out his cheeks like he’s been holding his breath through his entire apology.
I’m so taken aback by his sincerity that I stop walking. I don’t think anyone’s ever apologized to me so earnestly. And yes, he was kind of rude, but I work in an industry where you need a thick skin to survive, and it was nothing compared to some of the vitriol I’ve been on the receiving end of, so I’d almost forgotten about it.
But I don’t tell him that. Instead, I accept it on behalf of all the apologies I should have gotten over the years and didn’t.
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiles and nods toward The Beanery. “What would you like?”
There’s no way I’m standing out here while he goes inside and leaves me with Thunder. Plus, I want to choose the donut. And I also want to pay.
“I’ll go, but you tell me what you’re drinking.”
He doesn’t do a very good job of hiding his surprise at my offer, he looks like no one’s ever bought him a coffee before. “I’ll take one black, please.”
“You got it.”
It takes me no time to order and even less time to choose my donut because there’s only one option. A round ball filled with raspberry “jam” and covered in sugar. It’s not what I wanted, but a ritual is a ritual, and I’m superstitious enough that if I don’t celebrate with coffee and a donut, things will go wrong.
I expect Lando to leave once I’ve handed his coffee over, but he doesn’t. And the four of us continue making our way along Valentine High Street, where the final yards of bunting are being fastened.
I haven’t ventured this far down before. I don’t even know where we’re going, but it’s not like I have anything else to do. I’m still getting used to all this free time I have, and that I can spend it exactly how I choose to.
Eventually, we walk past The Cupid’s Arrow, the other pub in the village. I have yet to go in. I’m too scared Eddie will catch me, and considering he was one of the first people I met here, I have a sense of loyalty.
“Has Eddie got you playing cricket, or are you part of the opposing team?” I ask because I’m not walking in silence any longer. If he wants to keep me company, then we’re talking.
“Neither. Sadly,” Lando replies. “I should be playing for Eddie, but I’m chairing the summer fair committee again. So I can’t.”
The way he saysagainmakes it sound like the task should have fallen to someone else.
“Do you not normally head it up?”
