Page 114 of A Secret Cornish Wish
‘She’s not the only one. I think my partying days are over. I’m getting too old.’
‘You and me both.’ I smile at him as I take the mug of tea he’s holding out.
‘Nonsense, you look great for forty,’ Mack says.
‘You lie. But thank you for the compliment.’
‘I only tell the truth.’
Shyly I glance at Mack to see if he really means this or is just messing.
His earnest face suggests the former.
‘Shall we go through to the lounge?’ I say hurriedly, already heading for the door.
‘Sure.’ Mack follows me and sits down on Claire’s huge comfy sofa, so I automatically sit in one of the armchairs.
‘How long are you here for?’ I ask before sipping on my tea. ‘Ooh, you make a good cuppa – well done!’
‘For an American, you mean?’ Mack winks. ‘I fly back on Monday, sadly. Shame, I’d have liked to stay a bit longer this time. But work commitments said otherwise. You’re not the only one who misses St Felix.’
‘Really? Even after all this time?’
‘Yeah, it gets worse as I get older. I don’t think popping back like I seem to keep doing helps too much, either.’
‘I guess it’s so very different from New York – maybe that’s the fascination?’
‘Maybe. Maybe it’s because you’re here every time I visit as well.’
‘Yeah, right,’ I say quickly, brushing off this compliment like I had the first. ‘Is that why you want me to move here, so you have an excuse to come and visit?’ I grin, trying to make a joke.
‘It would definitely be an added bonus.’ Mack is smiling, but his eyes show he means every word.
‘Maybe I should use you living in New York as an excuse to fly over there?’ I continue, still trying to keep it light. Mack was saying things I wasn’t expecting him to, and, although I’m secretly quite enjoying it, I’m also quite confused.
‘If you like? You know I was going to suggest you came over to visit one day – you and Rosie.’
‘I’m sure Rosie would love that. But I don’t think our finances are quite up to flights and hotels. Not right now, anyway.’
‘You could stay with me,’ Mack says. ‘My apartment has two bedrooms. I’ll sleep on the couch.’
I smile. ‘That’s very kind of you, but Rosie and I would share, of course. I’ll keep it in mind should I win the lottery or something.’
‘I’m serious.’ Mack puts his coffee down on the table. ‘I’d love it if the pair of you would come over sometime. I’d offer to pay for your flights, but I know you’d turn me down.’
‘I would, you’re right. Do you know Rob offered to buy me and Rosie a cottage here in St Felix earlier?’
‘Did he?’ Mack says with a wry smile. ‘I should have known he’d outdo me.’
‘It’s not a competition.’
‘What did you say?’
‘About the house? No, of course.’
‘Is that what the two of you were talking about earlier on the beach?’
I’m surprised Mack knows about the beach.
