Page 33 of Winter at the Cornish Garden Café
Finn snorted. ‘Why not?’
‘I can barely look at myself in the mirror, let alone show someone else and not just anyone else, someone who saw me the way I used to be.’
‘Thora … You can’t do this to yourself. Do you really think if you and Lucas get to the bedroom together that he’s going to think anything other than how bloody lucky he is? Lucas will be conscious of his own body too, you know. Us men do care about these things. But I promise you all he will see is your beauty and he’ll be thanking his lucky stars that you’ve given him another chance.’
Thora rested her head on the back of the sofa, then closed her eyes. ‘That’s if we even get that far, of course, because I just don’t know if I’m being crazy even considering getting involved with him again. There’s too much at stake.’
Finn squeezed her shoulder, and she opened her eyes and found him gazing at her. ‘Thora, you’re my bestie. I love you to bits. I wish you’d be kinder to yourself. If that kiss you shared with Lucas made your world shake, then you still have something special between you. Please don’t close yourself off to him now because you might not get another chance with him. This could be it and you owe it to yourself and to him to see if you can make it work this time around.’
Thora placed her hand on top of his. ‘I love you, Finn. You’re the best bestie.’
‘No you’re the bestie.’ He leant close and kissed her cheek, then grabbed his notebook off the table. ‘I have just had a marvellous idea for the proposal.’
‘What is it?’
‘I’ll tell you once I’ve figured it out fully. For now, I want every detail about that kiss because you’ve avoided telling me properly.’ He winked at her and Thora laughed.
‘I need another mug of tea.’
‘I’ll have one too and one of those delicious brandy butter mince pies with some clotted cream.’
‘Anything else?’ Thora asked as she eased Barry off her lap and stood up.
‘Just the full story about you and Lucas andthatkiss.’
‘Sure.’ Thora left him and Barry and went to the counter, sending out thanks to the universe for the gift of her ex-husband because he was the best friend a woman could have. She’d lost him as a husband but gained him as a friend, and their relationship was exactly as it should always have been. She wished the same could be said now of her relationship with Lucas.
Then they could all have a very merry Christmas…
17
LUCAS
Lucas had been in the village for four weeks and during that time he’d tidied his father’s house, helped him with getting a Christmas tree and putting lights up in the windows and garden, and he’d spent some time with Thora. Since they’d kissed at the café, they’d seemed to dance around each other cautiously, as if afraid that one fast move would unbalance them both. The connection between them was electric though and whenever he saw Thora he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her again. He wasn’t sure if she felt the same because she seemed nervous when he was nearby. It could be desire, but it could be that she regretted the kiss, and that thought hurt him. He never acted rashly, but kissing her like that at the café had been impulsive and like he’d lost control. He’d been overwhelmed by some primal instinct and it had made him crave her like a drug he couldn’t cope without. But it hadn’t just been physical. He’d wanted to connect with her on all levels in the way they used to do. But now, he felt sure their connection was more powerful, the desire more potent than ever. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that…
Today he’d sent some work emails and had a brief online meeting with a client he needed to check on, then he’d made his father breakfast and taken him out for an hour around the village. They were in The Book Nook and his father was sitting in one of the comfy armchairs with a cup of coffee and a selection of new paperbacks on the table next to him. The sharp pine scent of the Christmas tree laced the air, along with the warm, spicy aroma of cinnamon from the dried fruit garlands hanging from its branches. The lights on the tree and strung around the shop twinkled like tiny stars, casting their golden glow over the books. They reflected in the glass baubles and the polished wooden floorboards, creating an atmosphere of soft, magical warmth.
Lucas was wandering around the shop browsing for some new reads when the door opened and Finn came in. He brought with him a gust of wintery air and behind the counter, Rosa gasped.
‘Goodness, it’s cold out there now!’ she said. ‘I’d better turn the heating up.’
‘The temperature has definitely dropped,’ Finn said.
‘Grab a warm drink, Finn,’ Rosa gestured at the coffee machine. ‘I’ve got a festive edition of the hot chocolate that’s delicious.’
‘Sounds good to me, thanks.’ Finn pulled off his hat and gloves and walked further into the shop. ‘Hello, Lucas.’
‘Finn.’ Lucas bobbed his head.
‘How are you today?’ Finn asked as he helped himself to a festive hot chocolate.
‘Not bad, thanks.’
‘Want one of these?’ Finn asked.
‘No thanks.’ Lucas shook his head.
Finn made himself a drink, then he joined Lucas.
