Page 42 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘Nate?’ said Archie. ‘You in? Why don’t we leave these two to it,’ he said, nodding towards Bea and Lochlan.
‘I don’t know, mate, I’ve got an early start tomorrow,’ said Nathan, glancing at his watch.
‘Oh, come on,’ said Archie. ‘You haven’t been out with the lads in ages.’
‘Go on then,’ said Nathan, finishing his drink in one swift gulp.
‘Yes! I’ll get us an Uber,’ said Archie, tapping on his phone. ‘Let’s wait outside.’
‘Have fun, guys,’ Jess called after them.
‘And thanks for your help today,’ Bea shouted to them.
‘And then there were three,’ Jess laughed. ‘I’m going to make a move.’
‘Actually, I’m pretty exhausted, too. Why don’t we walk you home, Jess? Lochlan, do you want to come to mine? I reckon Archie will be out for a while…’ said Bea.
‘Good idea,’ said Lochan, his eyes flashing.
‘Right, let’s go,’ said Jess, taking a final sip of her drink.
* * *
Bea shivered as she stepped into the cool, night air.
‘Wow, it’s chilly out here,’ she said, pulling her jacket tightly around her.
‘Seriously, you don’t need to walk me home, I can literally see the shop from here,’ Jess laughed.
‘Fine, but I’m not leaving till I see you go through the front door,’ said Bea.
‘It’s Blossom Heath, not London, I’ll be fine,’ said Jess, rolling her eyes and striding off across the green.
‘Do you mind if we—’ Bea paused.
‘Wait for her to go inside?’ said Lochlan, slipping his fingers through hers.
‘Uh-huh.’
‘Course not,’ he said, raising her hand to his lips and kissing it.
They stood in silence for a couple of minutes until they saw Jess wave at them from her front door. Bea waved back.
‘Let’s go,’ said Bea, turning to face Lochlan. The air between them thickened.
Without speaking, Lochlan wrapped his arms around Bea’s waist and pulled her in close. Every nerve in her body flickered into life. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought it might literally explode.
‘Bea?’ he whispered.
‘Yes?’ she murmured, a shiver of anticipation running down her spine.
‘I don’t think I can wait any longer…’
‘Me neither,’ she replied, leaning in towards him.
And as their lips touched, their first kiss was everything she hoped it would be: utterly perfect.
CHAPTER 12
