‘Nothing to tell. He’s a farrier. And a Christmas tree farmer. And at least six years younger than me.’
‘And?’
‘And he’s Owen Morgan’s half-brother.’
‘And?’
‘What do you mean? Personal involvement with the relative of a client is unethical.’
‘You could always request he be transferred to another psychologist. Cite a conflict of interest. It’s not like he came to you of his own volition. And I’m sure he doesn’t care who signs off on his papers.’
‘A minute ago you were telling me I should use his case as an opportunity to re-examine my own trauma. Now you want me to offload him so I can screw his brother?’
Lenore’s lips curled into a wicked grin. ‘I never mentioned screwing, but if that’s what’s on your mind …’
Based on the steam pumping through Hannah’s system, there was a good chance her head currently resembled an over-ripe tomato.
‘Oh, don’t go getting all flustered. I know you’re a professional through and through, but sometimes life isn’t black and white. If you like this fellow, maybe you should find a way around the problem. Before you spontaneously combust!’
‘And on that note, I think it’s time to go shopping.’
‘I suppose so, but don’t think I’m going to let you off the hook.’ ‘I wouldn’t dream of it.’
Out of their chairs and back into the mayhem, the heat of the day and the chaos of the street went some way to diluting the awkwardness of the cafe conversation, but as they entered one shop and then another, Lenore oohing and ahhing over a hand-thrown pottery bowl or a vintage brooch, snatches of it lingered.
Work to live, not live to work … You need to drag that cross from the cupboard and smash it to pieces … It doesn’t come along often …
An ache that was surely deeper than the ocean swelled in her gut, rising with the dreaded inevitability of a tsunami. And with it the knowledge that everything Lenore had said was true. The only lie uttered had been her own:I’m not lonely.
The only person she was fooling was herself.
Chapter 12
‘There you go. These should keep you occupied.’ Crystal piled book after book onto the reception counter in a flutter of gelato colours until the resulting pile looked more like a literary sculpture than a TBR. A roll call of familiar author names decorated the spines: Beth O’Leary, Sally Thorne, Helen Hoang, Emily Henry, Katherine Centre … a who’s who of romcom authors with a few small-town titles thrown into the mix. ‘I’ve been doing some decluttering and thought you might like these.’
‘Thank you.’ Hannah squeaked out the words. She could hardly deny her penchant for reading romance when she’d been caught red-handed at the market stall, book in hand.
‘Did you like the Ali Hazelwood? A good four chillies, that one.’ Crystal waved a hand in front of her face as if she’d just stepped out of a sauna, and gave a low whistle. ‘Lots of detail in those sex scenes.’
‘Hmm. She’s a … good … writer.’ ‘Good’ was one word for it. Reading those bedroom scenes had provided more than a little vicarious enjoyment. Not that Hannah was about to admit that to her receptionist. And having a pile with similar heat levels on show in the office was not exactly the right vibe for a professional establishment. ‘I’ll return them to you once I’m done.’ She began transferring the books to a spare shelf behind the counter.
Crystal assisted her. ‘No need. Out with the old, in with the new. I’ve got a whole lot more on my wish list. How about you?’
‘Me?’
‘Your wish list, for Christmas.’
‘Oh, I don’t really …’celebrate Christmas. Only this year she was. Maybe it was time to fake it till she made it. ‘Nothing specific. I like to be surprised.’ Totally untrue, but …
Crystal leaned forward conspiratorially. ‘I thought there might be a certain man on your hot sheet.’ No exaggerated wink, but there might as well have been!
‘Hot sheet?’ That expression was way too close to the bone after their previous conversation about spicy novels.
‘Cole Harrison is about as handsome as they get, don’t you think? And such a lovely man. Blows my mind that he hasn’t been snatched up already, but I think he’s a bit like you—a total workaholic—and devoted to his family. You don’t see many men his age taking care of their younger brother the way he’s taken Owen under his wing. Still, there might be some wriggle room for a woman in his life. And you two looked so lovely standing there together at the carols. You were even wearing the same colour, like you were out on a date.’ Coming up for air, Crystal blinked more than was totally necessary and scratched the back of her neck. ‘I know it’s none of my business. I’m just saying you could do a whole lot worse.’
At this point, Hannah could either terminate her receptionist on the spot for way overstepping the employee–boss suitable-conversation line, dig a little deeper into Cole’s dating history or politely put an end to any further discussion. Crystal’s joie de vivre made it impossible to be mad with her and maybe this was her opportunity to brandish a metaphorical shovel and find out a little more.
‘You wouldn’t by any chance have known Cole was running Uncle Willy’s when you sent me out there, would you?’