Page 30 of Love in the Air at The Cornish Bakery

‘Yes, sorry. I was miles away.’ Taking a step closer to Rowan, she lowered her voice. ‘I was just thinking how comfortable it all feels, us two being together again after four years apart. It almost feels as though we’ve never been apart at all.’

Grinning, Rowan wrapped his arms around her and looked into her eyes. ‘I feel the same way. I never stopped loving you, Nina Wheat.’

‘Really?’ She frowned.

‘I promise. This just feels so right.’ Glancing away, he ran his hand across the back of his neck.

‘Are you tearing up?’ She ran the pads of her thumb across his furrowed forehead.

Shrugging, he grinned. ‘I love you.’

‘I love you too.’ Leaning her head against his shoulder, she sighed. Why had she ever let him go? A loud blast of music signalled the beginning of the game in the lane next to them and a group of teenagers began cheering as one of them stepped forward to play. ‘However much I love you, I still won’t let you win.’ Kissing him on the lips, she stepped back.

‘I wouldn’t expect anything less.’ Grinning, Rowan went to sit next to Max.

‘Okay, Brooke, your turn.’ Nina joined Brooke as she picked up a bowling ball. ‘Hold on, see if this one feels a better fit for you.’

Replacing her bowling ball, Brooke took the one Nina had offered her and weighed it with her hand. ‘Yes, that feels better. Thanks.’

‘Good. Another tip I wanted to show you is, see how you normally stand like this...’ Nina stood at the top of the lane with her feet together before moving them further apart. ‘Try standing like this and swinging the bowling ball back like this. Do you see my weight transfers to my back foot and then the front again?’

‘Like this.’ Watching her, Brooke copied.

‘Almost. Just bring your arm back like this...’ Standing behind her, Nina gently manoeuvred her arms into position. ‘That’s it.’

‘Wow, has anyone told you that you both look uncannily alike?’ Max leaned forward on the bench and placed his elbows on his knees.

‘What?’ Frowning, Brooke looked across at Max.

‘Ignore him, he’s just trying to distract you.’ Stepping away, Nina pulled her hair up into a ponytail. They didn’t look alike.

Imitating Nina, Brooke swung the bowling ball back and let go, holding her breath as she watched it glide down the middle of the lane—the middle of the lane! As the pins toppled, Brooke jumped up in the air. ‘Strike! I got a strike! A real strike! I’ve never had a strike before in my life!’

‘Yay! Good one.’ Nina grinned.

‘Thank you!’ Brooke wrapped her arms around Nina.

‘You’re welcome.’ Laughing, Nina stepped back, glancing across at Max who stepped in to hug Brooke. She looked across at Rowan. ‘Getting worried now?’

‘Me? Worried?’ He raised his eyebrows before chuckling. ‘Most definitely.’

‘I can’t believe I actually got a strike.’ Brooke walked across to the bench with Nina.

‘You did really well.’ Sinking onto the plastic bench, Nina bit down on her bottom lip. Had Max really noticed a resemblance between the two of them? Or had he just been trying to distract them? She’d go and speak to Ian tomorrow. She couldn’t let Brooke work things out for herself. Or Ian. It wouldn’t be fair on either of them.

‘Yes!’ High-fiving Max, Rowan grinned.

‘Great strike, Rowan, mate.’ Max checked the gameboard. ‘No pressure, Nina, but the game’s resting on your turn.’

Walking towards her, Rowan held out his hand, pulling her to standing. ‘Your turn.’

‘Right, of course.’ Taking his hand, Nina stood up and picked up a bowling ball. This was it. Pushing all thoughts of Max’s words and why she’d come to the bay out of her mind, she focused on the weight of the bowling ball in her hand and the pins standing proudly at the bottom of the lane. Swinging her arm back, she pictured the line in which she wanted her bowling ball to follow.

‘It’s true! You do.’ Max’s voice rose. ‘Don’t you think, Rowan? Tell me you can see a likeness between Brooke and Nina?’

‘Well, I guess so.’

Shaking her head, she tried to regain focus, but it was too late. The bowling ball had left her fingers, and she watched as it was pulled dismally into the gutter.

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