Page 64 of Eden's Comfort Kitchen
‘I might as well drink it now you’ve made it.’
‘Shall I make another?’ he asked with a mischievous look in those dark eyes. ‘To be going on with when you’ve done with that?’
‘I don’t suppose it would be the worst thing I’ve ever had to endure if I have to drink another,’ Eden said, holding tight to a grin that threatened to give the game away.
‘High praise indeed,’ he said, starting to measure out again. He looked up at the rest of the volunteers. ‘Can I get anyone else a lovely cocktail?’
Eden glanced down the bar to see Livia smiling as she watched and Ralph simply shaking his head in disbelief. It seemed they’d well and truly taken over his bar. Eden hoped he wouldn’t be too annoyed about it, but he didn’t seem to be, and she had to admit that he’d probably take more money tonight than any other regular weeknight for a long time.
At the tables where everyone was sitting with pints and shots, there was a chorus of agreement. Hands shot up.
‘I’ll take that as a yes then,’ Cam said. He threw another grin at Eden. He was enjoying this, but she was suddenly struck by a lightning bolt of suspicion. What else was he up to here? Surely he wasn’t just throwing his money around like this from the goodness of his heart?
She decided not to let it worry her. As long as she kept that cynicism firmly in her head, he could play all the games he liked. It would be a cold day in hell when he caught her out.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of another glass in front of her.
‘Get that down you,’ Cam said, looking mightily pleased with himself. ‘I’ve a mind to run up a decent tab on here tonight before we leave.’
Cam did run up a sizeable tab. Eden swayed on her feet as she got on her coat and he went to settle it. Most of the other volunteers had gone home. Many of them were older and tired more quickly, or had jobs to go to in the morning. The ones who’d clung on to the bitter end said their goodbyes, leaving Eden to hang back, feeling it rude to leave before she’d done the same with Cam.
Against her better judgement – or rather, what would have been better judgement had she been sober – she’d had the most brilliant evening. Cam had proved to be more agreeable company than she could ever have imagined. He was witty, interesting, gregarious and really rather lovable – and somewhere in the back of her mind, it annoyed the hell out of her. In the morning, when sense had returned, she’d realise it was all part of a charm offensive designed to combat the one sheherself had embarked on, but for now, she found herself more attracted to him than ever.
‘If I’d known how much fun this place could be, I’d have come here years ago,’ Cam said as he fetched his jacket from the booth where he’d left it.
‘I told you it was more than just a poky little seaside town.’
‘Oh, it’s that. Still, it’s one I could get to like.’
Eden watched as he fastened his coat. ‘Do you actually mean that?’
‘Of course I do.’
‘Can you repeat it? Only I’m having trouble with the idea that you might be admitting you got us wrong.’
He gave her the soppiest grin. ‘Don’t get ideas, Eden. I never admit to being wrong. Usually because I never need to.’
‘You just said…’
‘Well, maybe I did. But let’s forget it happened and never speak of it again.’ He paused, a little uncertain.
Eden wasn’t used to him looking uncertain, and it threw her. ‘What?’
‘You’ve got a long way to go for home?’
‘It’s a bit of a walk, but I can manage.’
‘Let me see you back to your place before I go on.’
‘I don’t need?—’
‘Please. I know I don’t do an awful lot of chivalry but let me do it this once. I’d feel guilty going back to my hotel and knowing I hadn’t seen you home safely.’
‘I’ve walked it dozens of times since I came here – honestly, it’s fine.’
‘I’m sure you have. Think of it as a favour to me.’
‘Will it win me points?’
