Page 92 of Coming Home to Wishington Bay
He nodded, returning the smile, his fingers lightly brushing my cheek as he hooked a strand of hair away from my mouth. And then his hand drifted down my hair, even more lightly but with a touch that set light to the rest of my body. His eyes met mine, heat showing in them in the low light of the lamp as he bent his head towards me. Slipping my arms from around his waist, I moved them to his strong, broad shoulders, feeling the muscles ripple under the fine cotton of his shirt as he moved and then his lips met mine. Softly, tenderly, as his hands splayed around my back, pulling me closer, his kiss deepening as he did so. His hand slid to my rear, and then down my thigh as he pulled me closer still and I pressed myself against him, my own hands tightening around his neck, feeling the strong cords of muscle as I finally began to let myself go.
We broke apart slowly, both of us looking a little shocked.
‘I’ve wanted to do that for such a long time.’
‘I haven’t been here that long.’ I laughed, glowing at both the compliment, and the kiss.
He shrugged. ‘You look pretty hot in your photo. I was kind of already halfway there before I’d even met you.’
‘Oh shoosh,’ I said, laughing.
‘Never,’ he said, bending for another kiss.
* * *
‘As much as I’d love to stay here doing this, I have an early shift.’
‘That’s probably just as well.’
Gabe made a motion with his head that showed me he didn’t totally agree on that but, whatever. He had an early start and the overwhelming desire I had to lock the door and see nothing but Gabe for the next several days meant that it probably was a good thing, just until we both got things back under control a little. And maybe gave me time to work out what the hell I was doing. I’d already told myself that my pretend boyfriend was off limits.
But what if it doesn’t have to be pretend? What if he’s the one who could heal your heart rather than break it?
‘Goodnight, Holly,’ he whispered, kissing me again, this time more chaste but no less exciting for that.
Locking the door behind him, I returned upstairs and quickly got ready for bed.
* * *
After the unexpected events of last night, I’d expected to toss and turn all night but instead I’d fallen into a deep, refreshing sleep. Placing two perfectly poached eggs on top of my toast with crushed avocado, I sprinkled on the merest hint of chilli flakes and settled down to breakfast. I had a big day ahead of me, and I wanted to make sure I had the fuel to help me deal with it.
Turning my phone from flight mode, I began eating, ignoring the phone until I was done, enjoying the flavours and the sounds of the sea swooshing, and the seabirds calling and chattering overhead. This new mindful type of eating was new for me too. I hadn’t realised how much I was missing, although the blandness of many ready meals probably meant I hadn’t missed all that much. But I couldn’t deny the changes since I’d been down here, and had started looking after myself – walking, eating properly, sleeping for more than just a few hours. I felt better, and looked better, my skin no longer had that undertone of grey that had been present for so long I thought it was natural. I had more energy and more drive. And, for the first time in a long time, I was happy.
Pushing the plate away, I looked at my phone. The little symbol for WhatsApp showed at the top of the screen. I tapped on the icon. It was from Gabe.
Morning, Beautiful. Can’t wait to see you again later. Xx
As crazy, and perhaps as dangerous as this might be, I couldn’t deny it. I was properly happy.
* * *
Having been round to collect Bryan, we set off on our morning walk down the beach, feeling the waves on our feet and paws as the soft sand sucked at them with Bryan dancing about, still undecided as to whether waves were a good thing or not. Heading back to the house, I grabbed the little dog bed and made my way upstairs. My hand on the door handle, I looked down to Bryan.
‘You’re my moral support today. OK?’
He cocked his head.
‘Good. So long as you understand. Right. Here we go.’
I swung open the door to Gigi’s bedroom and felt the pain hit me square in the chest. I missed her so much. Every single day. Pulling back the heavy curtains, I let the sun stream in as I opened every window, releasing the musty, stale odour that had built up since she’d been gone. This was the first time I’d even opened the door since I’d got here. But I’d taken that first step. Now for the next.
The bed was stripped, the sheets drying on the line. I’d be donating all the linen anyway but, even though it was clean, I felt the need to launder it, getting a little spark of hope and joy from seeing it flapping on the line, bleaching in the strong summer sunlight. I already had some thoughts about what to do with the bed frame. I’d wrangled the mattress out myself, which had seemed like a good idea at the beginning, less so partway through.
Bryan had been instructed to stay well out of the way, and like the bright dog he was, he’d done just that, lying with his head on his front paws, watching the crazy lady with the yummy dog treats wrestle with the big oblong squashy thing. There’d been a moment on the stairs when everything looked like it might go horribly wrong but it was now on the patio, waiting to be collected.
I’d got quite chatty with the builder chap who’d be coming shortly to do the work downstairs and had been telling him about my plans. He’d kindly offered to collect the mattress and dispose of it, legally, in return for me taking a look at a couple of photos of a potential client’s kitchen. They wanted some changes and he’d got a bit stuck. Two cups of tea and far too many biscuits later, we’d come up with a plan and he’d messaged me yesterday to say they were thrilled with the ideas and he was starting work on it very soon. When I’d replied, he’d joked that he would be recommending me everywhere now. At least, I think he was joking.
Now I was back upstairs. I took a deep breath in and out, in and out and opened the door to the large wardrobe. Faint hints of Gigi’s favourite perfume floated out and I felt the tears well in my eyes. Wrapping my arms around the first bunch of clothing, I lifted it up, raising the hangers off the rail and took the pile to the bed, returning and repeating until the wardrobe was empty and the bed frame was full. Next, I sat on the floor in front and lifted out each box of shoes and piled them up to the side. Lastly, I grabbed the stepladder and lifted out the hats that sat on the top shelf, placing them carefully on the large chest of drawers.
