Page 17 of Love Is: Two Bodies One Soul

‘Yes, he’s moving to our Scottish office.’

‘I didn’t know.’

Simon made a non-committal sort of noise, and Lexie looked sideways at him. ‘You don’t seem surprised.’

‘That’s because I’m not. Miles is worse than me – he’s a real arse. I just pretend to be.’

‘You work with him, and you’re both on the cricket team. I thought you liked him.’

‘No. Why do you think I sent him to Scotland?’ Simon grinned and flung an arm around Lexie’s shoulder, pulling her close, saying: ‘So what now, lovely Lexie. Shall I introduce you to our best man? Some say he’s a bit of a babe magnet, but I can’t see it myself.’

‘No thanks, I’m planning on giving the whole dating thing a rest for a while.’

‘That’ll be lonely.’

‘Maybe, sometimes, but like you said months ago, you don’t choose when you’re going to meet the right person, and I’m fed up with always trying with the wrong ones.’

Simon shot her a sideways glance.

Lexie gave him an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry – that wasn’t directed at you. You were probably the best.’

‘But still not right, eh?’

‘No … and not your fault.’

‘Thanks.’

‘So, I’m going to be sensible. Stop looking for a soulmate and leave it to fate to deliver Mr Right to me.’

Simon linked arms and patted Lexie’s hand fondly. ‘Pity you can’t order one for next day delivery on Amazon, eh?’

‘Ha! Life would certainly be simpler. Do you think they would allow no quibble returns?’

They laughed together.

Then Simon patted Lexie’s hand again. ‘You’ll meet the right man, Lexie. You just need to let go a bit … not be so cautious. Try something or someone different. Don’t always wonder if daddy will approve.’

‘Is that what you think I do?’

‘Fairly certain. Think about it. All of us, the ones I know about – we’ve all been similar. I’m not likening myself to Miles, but there were similarities you can’t ignore even with him. All your men have been just a couple or three years older than you – English (except for that very handsome blond Scot a few summers back), all of us from good families, privately educated, professional types with respectable jobs and hobbies, respectable lives. Younger versions of your dad, though some of us are a little less misanthropic.’

Lexie slapped his arm again.

He laughed and continued: ‘Perhaps that’s why none of us has been right for you. Deep down, you don’t want a nicer version of your dad. You don’t want a respectable man who’ll fit in at the cricket club. You want someone different. So be bold, break the pattern with the next one.’

‘Lonely hearts advice from my ex?’

Simon’s brow crumpled into an adorably embarrassed frown that tweaked Lexie’s heart. ‘Something like that,’ he said, and squeezing her arm, he guided her through the portico.

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