Page 116 of Bea's Book Wagon
But she couldn’t stop, couldn’t turn back. Guilt warmed her neck as she dashed into the bathroom and locked the door behind her, dropping her head in her hands.
What the hell had just happened? Had she just been about to kiss Nathan?
CHAPTER 34
Bea woke up the next morning with a ferocious hangover. Pulling off her eye mask, she reached for the glass of water on her bedside table and drank thirstily, draining the glass in seconds.
What a night.
She’d slept fitfully, replaying those moments with Nathan over and over again: the slow dance, their bodies pressed up close, desire coursing through her veins, their lips moments away from touching.
If the music hadn’t stopped, who knows what would have happened? Would they have kissed? Did she, somewhere deep, deep down, want to kiss Nathan?
Her thoughts then turned to Lochlan. She tried to imagine his face if he found out what had happened. But did anything actually happen?
God, she was confused. She needed to clear her head and work out how she felt. And if she was going to do anything about it.
* * *
Nathan sat at the kitchen table staring at his award, a mug of coffee in his hands, thinking about Bea. She’d looked incredible last night. He’d almost managed to forget she was with Lochlan when they were dancing; he’d almost kissed her. But how would that have turned out?
She’d have been horrified, and the last thing he wanted was to jeopardize their friendship. She meant far too much to him to risk losing her.
But he couldn’t stop thinking about her. The more time they spent together, the more he realized that his feelings towards her had changed.
He loved her.
There was no point denying it, to himself at least. He’d wanted to tell her last night, as he was sure she’d felt the spark between them, too, but today, when they’d driven back to Brighton to collect her car, she’d acted like it hadn’t happened, and he could see that she wasn’t interested in him at all, not like that.
He’d just have to try to move on.
* * *
‘Any news from the bank yet?’ Tori asked, as another busy shift at the Cosy Cat drew to a close.
‘Nope, not yet,’ replied Bea, shaking her head. ‘The lady said it could take anywhere from a week to ten working days. Waiting’s the worst, though. You should see how many times I’m checking my email.’
‘Believe me, I get it. I remember waiting to hear from the council about this place. I was so busy making plans for the cats to arrive, but everything was dependent on whether I got a yes from them first. It was agonizing.’
‘I won’t leave you in the lurch, though, if I do get the loan,’ Bea said, quickly. ‘You’ve been so good to me, and I’ll stay here until you find someone else.’
‘Don’t you worry about that,’ said Tori, waving a hand. ‘Mum’s happy to step up temporarily, and I’m sure we’ll find a replacement soon enough. It won’t be the same as having you here, though, we’ll miss you.’
‘Well, if the bookshop does go ahead, I’ll only be across the green, so I’ll be in every day for coffee… lunch… snacks. You’ll see more of me than you do now!’
‘I’ll hold you to that,’ Tori chuckled.
‘Sorry to interrupt,’ said Violet, who had just finished eating the last scone from a cream tea she was sharing with Jean. ‘Can I settle up? It’s my turn to treat Jean.’
‘Of course!’ said Tori, ringing up their bill. ‘I hope everything was okay?’
‘Delicious as always,’ said Jean, joining Violet at the counter. ‘Although, I don’t think I’ll be needing any dinner this evening,’ she said, patting her stomach.
‘You know, it’s been lovely seeing you two in here together so regularly, you didn’t used to—’
‘Get on?’ ventured Violet.
‘Oh, gosh, no, I didn’t mean that,’ said Tori, her cheeks colouring.
