Page 51 of Coming Home to Wishington Bay
‘That’s great, Holly. I know it’s going to take time, but it’s really good you’re learning how to manage it.’
‘Thanks.’ I wasn’t about to tell him that his warm hands holding mine had definitely helped the process this time. But maybe one day.
‘I’ll meet Mum and Dad for dinner this evening and tell them everything. There’s no need for you to come and be subjected to the awkwardness when you’ve done nothing other than try and help me out.’
At the thought of having it taken away, I suddenly realised just how much I was looking forward to having dinner out with Gabe and his parents this evening. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten out, properly. Other than on my own. I’d grabbed a snack or coffee with Carrie when I’d visited but generally we’d eaten at home, especially as the first several months of the pregnancy had been difficult for her and the last thing the poor girl had wanted to do was sit in a restaurant.
‘It’s just for a couple of days, right?’
‘Yes. They’ve already planned a tonne of stuff. I’m not quite sure how they’re going to fit it all in but Mum’s kind of a genius when it comes to plans so if she reckons they’ll get it all done, then they will.’
‘Then let’s just do it.’
‘Holly …’
‘Gabe. I’m OK. You need to stop worrying about me quite so much. I know you’re a doctor and it’s your job and stuff, but—’
‘That’s not why I worry about you.’
‘Right,’ I said, the penny dropping. ‘OK. You’ve done your bit. You’ve kept an eye on the house, just like you promised Gigi, even though I highly doubt she meant for you to go as far as painting it for her! And I’m now guessing she wangled something about keeping an eye on me too. Well, you’ve done that, and I appreciate the kick in the butt you’ve given me about the whole anxiety thing, but I’m pretty sure you’ve gone above and beyond what she meant. She was more likely referring to the fact that the last time I tried to change a fuse in this house for her, I kind of blew the whole circuit.’
‘Is that true?’
‘Yeah. Unfortunately. And even then, she most likely had your interests at heart as, not being a woman to do things by halves, I also took out the power in your place too. Thankfully you were away at the time.’
He was grinning. ‘They do say if you’re going to do a job, then do it well.’
‘Exactly.’
‘But no, Gigi did not tell me to worry about you. Actually, she did. Not worry, obviously. Just asked me to keep an eye on you. Should I see you.’
‘Well, as with the house, I relinquish you of your duties.’
‘Like I said, that’s not why I’m doing it.’
‘So why are you?’ My voice had gone softer, and maybe I was imagining it but Gabe seemed to have leaned closer.
‘Holly, I know this is kind of—’
My phone began vibrating madly across the table as Ned’s ringtone sounded loud and clear in the quiet of the house.
‘Shit!’ I said, jumping as it broke the stillness that had been between us. And because I’d been happily falling into those blue, blue eyes, listening to that soft lilt as his voice had grown quieter, and yet more intense. ‘Sorry,’ I said, answering the call and pushing speaker on the handset.
‘Hi.’
‘Hey, sis. I was just speaking to Sophia and she said something about you booking a table for four tonight?’
‘Yes. Is that OK?’
‘Yeah, sure. Is it for you then?’
‘Yes. I told her it was.’
‘Yeah, yeah. I know. It’s just that …’
‘What?’
‘I didn’t know you even knew three other people to bring!’
