Page 8 of Kiss Me Ever After
Both Alex and Curtis laughed.
“Yeah, course you are, mate.”
“Until she bats her baby blues at you when you’re drunk and horny.” Alex laughed, tossing a couple of peanuts into his mouth. “You always go back there, Justin.”
“Nah, not any longer, mate. I’m done.” I was firm.
This time, I was adamant I would stay away. Candace had messed me around enough times now. Blowing hot and cold, getting jealous over things she didn’t need to, being overly possessive. She was everything I didn’t need.
I needed some summer fun.
And now Lennon was back, maybe we could pick up where we’d left off.
* * *
The Blue Goose Cafeused to be my refuge.
When I say used to, I mean when it was run by a couple of old men who thought nothing of frying bacon in as much fat as possible before slathering butter onto two slices of white bread and charging me two quid for it and a mug of builder’s tea.
Not now.
Not while it was overrun with up themselves tourist types who had more money than sense.
Curtis and I used to go there for breakfast after a night shift at the hotel. Back then, it used to be filled with locals, builders, plumbers, tradesmen, all getting in a hearty breakfast before their day started.
When it reopened shortly before the summer started, I went in to see what all the fuss was about. But when they tried to charge me a fiver for a sourdough breakfast bap and another four pounds for a poncey pot of tea, I pretty much told them where to go.
I hadn’t been back since.
Until now.
My route home after work rarely took me this way, but I had to find out if what Alex and Curtis had said was true.
I sat on the back of the bench opposite the cafe, my feet resting on the seat, watching.
Customers came and went. Clearly, they weren’t fussed about paying a fortune for tea and cake.
In all honesty, I didn’t care whether the business was doing well.
I cared about Lennon Cole.
My mind went back to her storming off last summer, snapping she wouldneverset foot in Ealynn Sands again. What had made that change?
For the next twenty minutes, I watched her working, my hands steepled together, elbows placed on my knees.
She didn’t look much different, except her hair seemed shorter. Same killer body, though.
The corner of my mouth curved up.
I checked the time. Close to closing. But the customer is always king.
She looked directly at me as I entered, the door bashing against the wall.
“We’re closed.” Her tone was polite, but I sensed an edge.
I tapped my wrist. “Not quite five yet, sweetheart. You can’t possibly turn me away now, can you?”
Her icy blue eyes narrowed. “Then what can I get you?” she asked tightly.
