Page 62 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
‘Oh. I see. Yes. Well, each to their own I guess. Personally, in this weather I want good old rib-sticking, stodgy, warming goodness. Not a couple of lettuce leaves and a prettyradish, however good it might be for me.’
Cal grinned. ‘I’m glad to hear it.’
‘You might not be, when you have to try and get me to move later.’
‘I’m sure we can come up with a solution.’
The waitress was soon back, taking our orders on an electronic tablet and checking that we were OK for drinks, suggesting a wine we might like. I was definitely not going to drink anything. I needed a clearhead so that I could avoid doing something stupid, like – say – kissing Cal Martin because for once I felt pretty and he’d told me I looked beautiful. And kissing Cal Martin was, as I had already told myself, a bad idea. As would be alcohol.
‘I’ll have a large white wine, please.’ Oh well. It’s the thought that counts, right?
‘And for you, sir?’
‘Just mineral water, please. Still. Thanks.’
‘Great. I’ll be back in just a moment with those.’
Silence settled over the table momentarily.
‘George was really excited about going over to Dan and Claire’s tonight. It was kind of them to invite him.’
I gave a wave of my hand. ‘They love it. All the kids love going to their place, especially in the summer with that fantastic tree house he built.’
Cal fiddled with the better knife for a second.‘I heard about the miscarriage. It’s heartbreaking the problems they’ve had. They’re so great with the children.’
I looked off to where the waitress was setting up our drinks on a tray, my stomach twisting a little at Cal’s comment.
My face obviously twisted a little too.
‘Should I have not said anything?’ He let out a breath. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have …’
‘It’s OK.’ I turned back to himand gave a practised smile as the waitress arrived with our drinks order. ‘You’re right. It is heartbreaking.’
I took a sip of the cool, crisp wine, its fruity notes zinging around my taste buds before replacing the glass on the table. For some reason, my nerves had me wanting to down the whole glass and order another before the waitress had even turned on her stiletto heel, even though I knewthat wasn’t a good idea. Cal was still looking uncomfortable at the thought of having put his foot in something. He lifted his gaze and held me in it.
‘I can hold a meeting with anyone and not be fazed. Make deals for cars worth hundreds of thousands but I don’t feel like I’m getting things right with you this evening. Which is kind of weird because normally I feel completely relaxed with you.And I thought you did with me too. So, I’m guessing between the other night, and this evening, something’s changed. Any chance you want to share what that is with me?’ His hand left the fork he’d been worrying alone and he sat up a little straighter.
‘It’s nothing. Really.’ I could see that he didn’t believe me. I wasn’t a good liar and normally I didn’t care. It wasn’t a skill I was interestedin honing, but right now it would have been easier if Cal Martin couldn’t immediately see through me.
‘If it’s nothing, then why do you look so sad?’
What I really wanted to say was that none of this was fair. Not on him or me. It wasn’t fair that I’d finally met a man I felt so comfortable with, could be myself with, had a tonne in common with, and who actually liked me – and I still couldn’thave him.
‘Dan told me himself about everything, you know. I’m not gossiping. Believe me. That’s definitely not my style.’
My eyes widened. ‘Oh goodness, no. I didn’t think you were. Not for a moment. I think it’s pretty obvious it’s not. Although you must have got used to all that a little by now, having been here for a while. It’s hard to keep anything a secret here. I assume you know thefact that we’re friends – and more than, according to some – is already a favourite topic of conversation in the village. By tomorrow, they’ll know exactly what we ate tonight.’
‘Is that true?’ Cal looked a little unsure.
I gave a little head wobble. ‘For the most part, yes. It’s a great village. But it’s shit at keeping secrets and great at gossip, even though that gossip generally isn’t unkind.’
‘Right.’
‘You’re putting the house on the market tomorrow, aren’t you?’
Cal let out a laugh, and his beautiful smile lifted the concern from his face. ‘Not a chance.’
‘OK. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.’
‘So, hypothetically, if I were to lean across right now and kiss you, you’re saying that might be headline news tomorrow?’
I tried not to smile. ‘I’m pretty sure that might even make the lateedition.’
Hypothetically I didn’t give a monkey’s and right now I wanted nothing more than for him to follow through. I stole a look at him through my lashes as he glanced at the screen on his phone. He’d already apologised for having it out but he had a small child at home and I understood. Running a hand around the back of his collar, he then stretched his neck, tension showing on his face.
I shouldn’t have said yes to dinner. We were too close. This was too close to what each of us wanted it to be, and what both of us knew it couldn’t be.
