Page 26 of Love in the Air at The Cornish Bakery

‘Do you mind me asking you something?’

‘Ask away. You don’t need permission to ask me a question.’ He frowned.

‘Umm, I know. I just... this is an awkward one.’ Glancing across at him, she paused.

‘This sounds ominous.’ Letting his arm fall from her shoulders, he shoved his hands into his coat pockets.

‘It’s not. Well, I suppose it is, or it could be.’ Looking down, she stubbed at the sand with the toe of her trainers. ‘I just wanted to ask what was going on between us? I know it’s not... I know we’ve only just met again and there’s a lot to work through, but after our kiss yesterday and today I just wondered if... How are you feeling?’

‘I...ummm...’

Nina nodded. That was all the answer she needed. She shrugged, her eyes focused on the little mounds of sand she was digging up with her trainer. ‘It’s okay. I just thought I’d ask. Hey, it’s better to know, isn’t it?’ Was it? At this moment in time, she wasn’t sure. At this moment in time, she wished she’d never asked. She wished she’d have just been okay with carrying on like they were—reminiscing, enjoying each other’s company—now she’d broken the spell.

‘Hey, Nina, you didn’t let me finish.’ Turning, Rowan held out his hands towards her, waiting until she’d taken them. ‘I wanted to ask you something, too. Heck, I wanted to ask you yesterday, but I didn’t because I was worried it would scare you off and send you running in the opposite direction.’

‘What did you want to ask me?’ She frowned.

‘I wanted to ask you if you’d consider giving our relationship another chance?’ He looked down at their hands as he clasped them tighter. ‘I know it’s probably a daft idea and that, as you said, we still have a lot to talk about, to work through, but we’ve still got something between us. Do you feel it, too?’

Smiling, she nodded slowly. ‘I feel the exact same way.’

‘Good.’ Grinning, he looked away before locking eyes with her. ‘And that’s why we’ve both found ourselves in the bay at the same time. Serendipity.’

Laughing, Nina shook her head. ‘You were always the soppy romantic one.’

Chuckling, Rowan drew her in for a hug. ‘There’s nothing wrong with being romantic. It’s better than being jaded.’

‘Oi, I’m not jaded. Not that much anyway.’ Tightening her arms around him, she leaned her head on his shoulder and smiled. They still fitted together. ‘Is that your stomach rumbling?’

‘Probably. I woke up late and skipped breakfast.’ His breath tickled her hair.

Pulling away, she pecked him on the lips. ‘You should come and work at the bakery. We had freshly baked croissants for breakfast.’

‘Warm?’

‘Oh yes, and with jam.’

‘Ah, I may have to sneak in tomorrow morning, then. Shall we go and get some chips?’

‘That sounds like a good plan.’ Turning around, Nina slipped her hand into his as they made their way back towards the promenade.

‘Nina, Rowan. Hello, you two.’ Ian smiled as he stepped onto the sand from the ramp leading up to the promenade.

‘Hi.’ Nina bit down on her bottom lip.

‘Hello, mate.’ Shaking hands with him, Rowan nodded at the shopping bag Ian was carrying. ‘Been shopping?’

‘Yes, I’ve got Brooke coming for lunch today, so I thought I’d cook us a nice omelette with salad.’ Ian indicated the bag.

‘That sounds nice.’ Nina smiled.

‘I just hope she likes omelette.’ Ian frowned. ‘It’s such a blessing to have her in my life. It’s strange though, she’s my granddaughter and yet I have so much to find out about her, what she likes, dislikes...’ Ian shrugged.

‘Oh, yes. You’ve only recently discovered you had a daughter and granddaughter.’ Rowan nodded. ‘That must be tough.’

Ian rubbed his hand across his eyes. ‘It’s difficult to think of everything I’ve missed out on, to think I wasn’t there through the difficult times.’ He shook his head and nodded. ‘I’m determined to focus on the good. I can’t change the past, but I can shape the future.’

‘That’s very true.’ Rowan nodded.

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