Page 52 of Rescuing Rosie
‘I won’t,’ she said, feeling choked.
He kissed her cheek, raised a hand and loped off back to the car park. As he disappeared round the headland, fragments ofa song floated back to her on the wind: ‘She’smy best friend’s girlfriend … and she used to be mine.’
Chapter Twenty-One
Ant waded out of the water and lay his fishing rod down on the beach. ‘Hello, Rosie. What are you doing here?’
‘Dale brought me – I wanted to come say thank you for yesterday. And the roses.’
‘You’re very welcome. How’s the ankle?’
‘Oh,’ she said. ‘It’s terrible. I can’t put my weight on it atall.’ She let go of her crutches, and they clattered to the ground. Standing on one leg, she said, ‘I really need you to help me again, Ant.’
He shook his head a little, did the half smile. ‘Is that so?’ He came closer, and she hopped over the remaining space between them then put her arms around his neck and leaned into his chest.
‘My dad’s a keen trout fisherman,’ she said. ‘I was thinking I’d bring him up here; he’d love the Lakes. He’d love you too, if that’s not jumping the gun. I mean …’ She stopped. ‘God, that wasn’t what I meant to say.’
He put his hands on her waist and said quietly, ‘Whatdidyou mean to say?’
‘I suppose …’ she bit her lip, ‘that when I think of you, which has been rather a lot, my heart feels … kind of full? Like it’s about to explode?’ She blew out a breath. ‘C’mon, Rosie,’ she muttered.
Ant won’t make the first move, so you’ll need to.
‘Okay – so in writing, there’s this thing called show don’t tell. I think I probably need to do that.’ She stood on tiptoes and pressed her lips to his, quickly, then pulled away and looked into his eyes. ‘Would you mind if I did that again? Properly?’
He smiled. ‘Rosie – if I don’t kiss you properly, I might just lose my mind.’ He raised a hand to her cheek, cupping it, stroking it with a thumb. His beautiful eyes darkened, then he pulled her close, lowered his lips to hers and kissed her, at first gently, then properly. Those familiar strong arms tightened round her, and she melted against him, her hands moving up from his neck to his hair, digging her fingers into it, drawing his head closer to hers, wishing the kiss would last forever.
Far too soon, he stopped. ‘Are you sure about this?’ he said, his voice husky, stroking back her hair.
‘When you know, you know.’ Finally, she’d said something that made sense.
‘You said yesterday you were on the rebound.’
‘Yes, I was – from a man who was so, so wrong for me. It’s amazing what a moment on a mountaintop can reveal. Or a canal bridge, but I’ll save that story for later.’
‘I see. But Rosie, you rebounded straight into Dale’s arms.’
Make way – the elephant has arrived in the room.
‘Under the pernicious influence of poetry-themed cocktails. He took advantage, and he’s now apologised.’
‘Right.’
He waited for her to say more. Bloody hell. Ant was hot, and gorgeous, and sweet, and most certainly knew how to kiss, butmanwas he hard work.
She considered her words carefully. ‘Like you said – there’s more to Dale than meets the eye, especially when it comes to looking out for his best mate. But … it’s you I have all the feelings for. One hundred per cent of them.’ She swallowed. ‘Ant …’ She took his hand, lacing her fingers through his. ‘I know what happened, on Helvellyn. Dale and I talked about it this morning. I’m so sorry for what you two have been through.’
Ant nodded. ‘I thought you’d know by now.’ He looked out across the lake. ‘Dale’s never blamed me – never so much as hinted that if I hadn’t insisted he stayed home that day, because …’ He tailed off, emotion playing across his features. ‘He’s never said it – that if hehadcome with us, Gemma might still be alive.’
‘You were going to propose, I know,’ Rosie said. She looked down at his hand in hers, wondering if the ring he always wore had been carried up Helvellyn that day. ‘Ofcourseyou wanted to do that alone. No way should you feel any guilt.’
He looked down at her, his eyes troubled.
‘I can’t imagine how terrible it must have been for you,’ she said. ‘And for Dale – I guess losing his twin would be like losing half of himself. No wonder he’s floundering around trying to fill that space in his life.’
Ant nodded. ‘I wouldn’t have got through without him. I owe him. It’s why I need to be sure …’
‘Sure?’
