Page 26 of Best Laid Plans
‘Because I’m the better person,’ she joked, flashing him a grin, which he countered with a raised eyebrow.
She threw up her hands in exasperation. ‘Okay, how about we say each day of walking pays off a boot? In my mind, that makes us even.’
‘Okay,’ he shot back, ‘fine.’ He followed the word with a long, agitated sigh and glanced down once more at the sea beneath them.
After a moment’s pause, he looked back at her and finally smiled, his eyes lighting up for the first time that day. ‘Now, let’s put some more distance between us and this death trap and get to Positano before nightfall.’
* * *
They didn’t speak again until they reached the outskirts of the town and checked the details of their lodgings for the night, which suited Julien just fine. After the humiliation of finding himself at such a disadvantage and having to rely on Indigo’s goodwill to get him out of trouble, he’d just wanted to sink into his own head for a while.
Not that he hadn’t been intensely aware of her presence beside him the whole way there. He’d been impressed with her fitness levels too – she’d not asked to stop once, even after a particularly steep ascent. No wonder she was in such good shape.
He forced the tantalising image of her lean, fit body that followed that thought right out of his head.
‘We’re staying on the same road,’ Indigo said, throwing him anit must be fatesmile. ‘But I’m a bit further down the hill.’
‘Bon,’ he replied, desperate for some solitude now so he could get a handle on these frustratingly conflicting feelings she’d stirred up in him.
He was intensely aware that in another life he would have jumped at the chance to make more of their connection – but that he couldn’t act on his impulses, not here, not now. It wouldn’t be fair, to either of them. Despite the whispered demands of his body, his mind kept reminding him he couldn’t offer her any kind of emotional commitment.
And, from what he already knew of her, he could tell that wouldn’t work for Indigo.
But the thought of saying goodbye to her now also twisted something inside him.
They reached the road they needed barely a minute later.
‘Well, this is me,’ she said, nodding towards the place where she was going to bed down for the night, with its simple crazy-paved stone frontage and garish sign which shouted: cheap, but cheerful!
‘And that’s me,’ he said with a nod towards a much grander building sitting proudly a little further up the hill, with clear sea views and an elegant iron-railed terrace for every room.
Only a little further up the road, but worlds apart.
‘Indigo…’
‘Yes?’
‘Thank you for not abandoning me to my fate today.’
He felt like a fool for saying it, but her expression lightened as if she was relieved to finally hear it.
His acknowledgement didn’t stop her from winding him up, though.
‘That wasn’t fate trying to tip you off a cliff, it was just reminding you that you should be nicer to me.’
He rubbed a hand over his face and snorted. She was right, of course; he hadn’t exactly been chivalrous about accepting her help. He’d been so embarrassed, his manners seemed to have fled him.
‘Okay, point taken.’ Despite being desperate for some time alone, he knew he should at least attempt to show some appreciation for what she’d done for him today. She’d certainly gone above and beyond the call of duty. ‘Can I buy you dinner tonight? To show my gratitude.’
She shifted on her feet, looking uncomfortable. ‘You don’t need to do that. I think we’re even with the boots.’
She wouldn’t meet his eye, and her body language made him think about how she’d looked on the beach after they’d been so close – so dangerously close – to kissing. The sensory memory was so acute he could have sworn he caught the same briny scent on the air mixed with her sweet floral fragrance.
He shook it off and folded his arms. ‘Look, Indigo, what happened last night on the beach – I never meant to lead you into thinking I was interested in a holiday fling. The truth is, I’m not in a good place right now. I’ve only just signed my divorce papers and, to be honest, I can’t see myself wanting another relationship any time soon.’
She looked at him sharply, her brow pinched, and held up a hand. ‘It’s okay. I’m not interested in a fling either. I just came here for a break. To walk and see the magnificent scenery. That’s all.’
He looked into her wide grey eyes and saw only steady resolve there. ‘Okay then.’ He cleared his throat, which felt strangely wadded and tight. ‘Well, let’s meet here at eight o’clock tomorrow,’ he said. ‘We should bring enough food to see us through to Nerano. Or, if you prefer, I can ask the receptionist where we can find a place to stop for lunch?’
