Page 29 of The Wisteria Tree Cottage

‘Wow! I never knew you felt like that.’

‘Why would you? You just saw my stupid actions and took them at face value.’

‘I don’t hold anything against you. I was pissed at the time but we were both kids, we both did some stupid things in our time, but that was a long time ago,’ Bear said.

‘And I’m very happy with the life I have now. I live in a spectacular treehouse with my best friend and my daughter so I really can’t complain, but if I was to live my life all over, there would be quite a few things I’d do differently.’

‘The benefits of age and wisdom.’

‘You make me sound decrepit. I’m only four months older than you,’ Meadow said.

He grinned.

Suddenly the music that was playing in the background changed and Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’ came on.

‘Oh I love this song,’ Meadow said.

‘Well then we should end our date with a dance.’

She looked around at all the other diners eating or finishing their meals. ‘What, here?’

But Bear was already standing up and offering out his hand and she took it before she could change her mind. She got to her feet and there was a moment or two while they awkwardly shuffled together, not knowing where was appropriate to put their hands, before Bear settled with his hand on her back, she put her hand on his shoulder and he held her other hand and they started moving slowly around. She looked up at him and knew that nothing had ever felt so right as this moment, where she was standing in his arms. He moved his hand ever so slightly up her back, just above her dress, and the feel of his skin against hers was complete heaven. His eyes were on hers the whole time and the rest of the world just faded away and for a moment she let herself imagine that this was real, the two of them here like this. His lips were just a few inches away from hers and she knew if she leaned up slightly she could kiss him although she was too scared of the reaction to actually do it.

‘I’m sorry your date was rubbish,’ Bear said.

‘I’m not. Not one bit, because if it had been OK and I’d sat there and tolerated it for a few hours, I wouldn’t have had this spectacular first date instead.’

He smiled. ‘I’d have to agree. I’ve never been so happy to have a crappy date before because it’s led me to being here with you.’

She stared up at him for a moment.

‘Do you think we can ever go back, to how it was before?’ Meadow said.

He shook his head. ‘No, but we can move forward and maybe in some way that’s better. We’re older and wiser, we know what we want, less likely to make bad decisions.’

She glanced down to his lips for a brief second, willing herself to be brave enough to take that step, wondering if kissing him would be a good decision or a bad one. What would happen if she did and he didn’t feel the same way? It would ruin their friendship and she never wanted to lose him, he meant the world to her. She would enjoy tonight for what it was, two best friends out for a lovely night, even if her heart was desperate for more.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Meadow let out a little sigh as Bear pulled up in the car park of Wishing Wood. The date was officially over. She’d had a lovely night chatting and laughing with him. It couldn’t have gone better. Apart from the fact it wasn’t real.

Meadow undid her seatbelt and made to get out.

‘Hang on, stay there,’ Bear said, getting out.

She watched in confusion as he ran round to her side of the car and then smiled when he opened the door for her.

‘Now I know Connected Hearts say you shouldn’t give your date your address but would you let me walk you back home?’ Bear asked.

She grinned. ‘I’d love that. Besides, you look very trustworthy.’

He slipped his hand into hers and they walked together along the paths lit by golden lanterns. The sea glittered under a starlit sky and she smiled as she watched a small fishing boat head out to sea. All the treehouses were lit up with fairy lights as they made their way through the trees to Wisteria Cottage, making it look like an enchanted fairy village, but they arrived at her house all too soon.

She turned to face him. ‘I have had a lovely date with you tonight, thank you.’

‘I enjoyed it too,’ Bear said.

‘So… no sex on our first date,’ she teased.

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