Page 56 of Valentine Nook
“Don’t count on it. There isn’t a garden in Valentine Nook un-raided by that bloody goat.”
“I appreciate it.” I stare up at him, smiling. Clemmie’s still in the bathroom, so I take the opportunity. “Thank you for the loan of the car and the bear. It was very kind of you.”
His head dips, and a smile forms. “The bear you won, remember? And the car . . . that was Thunder’s thank-you for his donuts.”
“Then please thank him for me.”
“I shall.”
We stand there, staring at each other. I’m fighting the urge to run my thumb over his brow and smooth out his tension, but Clemmie walks into the backyard, so instead, I take a step back.
“Hol, what are your plans this afternoon?”
My lips make a little clicking noise as I purse them and scroll through my very short list of things Icoulddo today but could also put off until tomorrow.
I glance at the pear Churchill spat out and grin wide. “Now that I don’t have any fruit for my pies, I guess nothing.”
“Do you want to come back with me for a swim and some lunch?”
I hesitate, and my eyes slide to Lando.
“You should come and keep Clementine company. She’s getting bored being on her own by the pool all summer long.”
I nod slowly. Message received. Lando won’t be joining us.
I hide my disappointment with an extra cheery, “Sure, that sounds great. Let me run and grab my bathing suit.”
Snatching up the first one I find, I then spot one I’ve not worn yet. The tags are still attached, and I decide to go with that one instead. The fact it’s the smallest, skimpiest suit I own is irrelevant. It’s not like I’ve been thinking about the way Lando’s gaze skated the length of my body the day he spotted me at the pool.
He made it clear he won’t be joining us.
Clemmie’s waiting for me in the hallway when I walk back downstairs, with Lando already outside by the car.
“Ready?” she asks.
“Sure am. Let’s go.”
As we’re leaving, she spies the bear, who I moved to the couch in the living room just in case the goat had another heart attack.
“Bloody hell, where’d he come from?” Clementine peers at the tag still attached to the bear’s foot. “Hamley’s.Christ. He’s enormous.”
“I won it at the fair.”
“Did you?Wow.”
I don’t know why I don’t tell her it’s from Lando because it’s no big deal that he gave it to me. So I don’t understand why itfeelslike a big deal.
And every time he catches my eye in the rearview mirror on the way back, it has me wondering all over again.
CHAPTER 11
Lando
It feels like I’m waiting for a date.
I stop pacing, ram my sweaty palms into my pockets, and take a deep breath.
It doesn’t stop my heart from thumping erratically, but it does make me realize how ridiculous I’m being.
