Page 56 of Knotting Hill
“Me too,” I say, chewing my lip. “Do you mind?” I point back to the dining room.
“Of course,” she says. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
I nod and slip out into the entrance hall, tiptoeing, so my heels don’t clack on the expensive, white marble tile.
Pulling my phone out when I reach freedom, I start walking and ring for an Uber to come and pick me up. I want to put distance between me and my parents’ house.
Twenty minutes later, I walk into the coffee shop. Franco is working, which sort of freaks me out, but he smiles and beckons me forward.
“Did you sort out your boyfriend issues?” he says, that sexy accent making it sound like a panther’s purr.
“Not my boyfriend,” I point out. “But no, not really.”
“Shame. I was looking forward to trying again.”
“Sorry, Franco. I’m taking myself off the market.”
“Bummer,” he murmurs. “Usual?”
I nod and watch him prepare me a latte macchiato, which I scoop up when it’s ready and turn to leave, only to see Josh standing in the doorway, looking like he’s been hit by a truck.
Thirty-Four
Josh
Not for the first time,this omega has made me feel like a deer in headlights. I don’t know why, but I wasn’t expecting to see her, which is just idiotic because she comes in here all the time. To see her talking with Franco was a kick in the nuts, though. Not that I think she was flirting with him or anything, but it still brings back the hurtful words from the pub.
“Hey,” I say awkwardly when the two of us just stand there, staring at each other. I think she is just as dumbstruck as me.
“Hi,” she says softly, and it melts any reservations I had over trying to engage her in a conversation.
“Can we talk?”
She nods to my relief but doesn’t say anything as I lead her out of the coffee shop. We find a bench in the park opposite and sit, enjoying the warm afternoon sun.
“I’m sorry we haven’t been around much after the karaoke,” I start, knowing I need to get that out there. She probably thinks we’ve given up on her, which definitely isn’t the case, and I don’t want her thinking that.
She shrugs and takes a sip.
“Are you okay after that guy…”
“I’m fine. Honestly, it wasn’t a big deal, and Russell played hero, so…”
I nod. This is pathetic as far as conversations go. I decide to dive in and tell her the truth. “About that. Russell’s dad is in the hospital. That’s why we’ve not been around.”
Her eyes go wide. “Oh, shit. Is he okay?”
I shake my head. “Not really. But he’s in good hands.” I smile.
She returns it shakily. “You don’t have to say any more. I understand. I want to thank you for the other night. It was, well, startling at first. I was caught completely off-guard, but the more I think about it, and I can’t stop…the more I realise how absolutely perfect it was.”
She is rambling, which is adorable.
Everything I was feeling about how awkward and horrible this interaction is, disappears, and I take her hand carefully, lacing our fingers together. She lets me with a small smile and lowered eyes.
“I’m glad. I was worried it might be over the top, but we thought we needed to get your attention in agoodway.”
She snickers. “You did that. But I can’t sit here pretending that everything is okay. Can you take me to Russell and JP?”
