Page 56 of Knots About You
‘You fit.’ The truth thrummed between us.
‘Careful,’ she breathed. ‘Say things like that and you might end up stuck with me.’
‘Good, I’m about three days away from tying you to my bed and keeping you.’
Claire’s fingers brushed my chest. ‘Night, Owen.’
The way she said my name made every stupid part of me ache to beg her to move in with me. But it was far too soon. Hell, we hadn’t even…
‘Night, Claire,’ I said, and rolled the R the way she liked because I loved the way it made her squirm.
As I made my way back to the car, the curtains next door twitched.
twenty-one
CLAIRE
Scruffand I finished our loop along the seawall before heading for sustenance. He trotted beside me, all pleased with himself, having collected an abundance of sticks. I dumped them over Alistair’s wall for him to hide again later. Scruff watched me as though I was betraying him.
‘Don’t worry, buddy, I’ll get you a pup cup to make up for it.’
Coffee & Crumbs welcomed me like an old friend, the warmth wrapping around me as I entered. Eilidh glanced up from the machine and grinned.
‘Look at you,’ she said, nodding at Scruff. ‘The two of you look like you’ve become fast friends.’
‘He keeps me from going crazy with the paint fumes,’ I said. ‘Gets me out in the fresh air.’
‘Not the only one who gets you out of the house,’ said Lola from the book wall without looking up, a pencil tucked behind her ear.
‘Lola!’ Eilidh admonished before turning to me as I took a seat. ‘But seriously, word on the street is that you had dinner with the family, it has to be getting serious, right?’
I settled Scruff on the floor by my chair. He sighed like an old man and melted bonelessly against my boot. Eilidh set a cappuccino down in front of me.
‘I don’t know how serious it can be,’ I said. ‘I’m supposed to be going back to London in a few weeks.’
‘But?’ Eilidh asked.
‘But I really like Owen. He makes me feel adored, you know?’
‘I bet. The way he kissed you at karaoke had us all swooning. Blueberry or chocolate?’ Eilidh held one of each muffin, and I helped myself to one of the fat blueberry ones.
‘Make it two muffins,’ said Emma from the window seat. ‘You know I can’t resist.’
‘You know that you’re doing Rose Cottage up for it to be rented out. You could always be the one to rent it. You don’t have to go back to London. We like having you around.’ Eilidh leaned back against the counter.
‘But I’d be moving for a guy, and that’s never the best idea.’
‘Or maybe it’ll be the perfect idea,’ Emma added from the window seat.
‘Some men are worth moving for.’ Lola’s voice drifted over.
‘I don’t even know him that well, not really. It’s only been a few weeks.’ I sipped my coffee before wiping the foam moustache off my lip.
‘Then get to know him. You’ve already sunk under his skin more than most people do. And how much more can there be to know? He’s hot, he makes you happy, and he has a business. What more is there?’ Eilidh sipped from a bottle of water. ‘Well, I can think of something else, but from what I hear, you guys have that covered.’
‘Eilidh!’ I laughed before sinking my teeth into the muffin and sighing happily.
The coffee shop hummed with the sound of milk steaming, pages turning, and the clink of cups. I relaxed back against the chair and let the world go by outside at a far slower pace than I was used to. It was like being in Otterleigh Bay settled over me like a cosy blanket, wrapping me up with peace. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see Shelly’s name pop up.
