Page 64 of Chocolate Cake for Breakfast
She smiles at him, her eyes twinkling fondly. ‘Max is fine.Yes, let’s go.’ She looks at me. ‘Nice to meet you.’
‘You, too.’
As Maxine goes out to the car, I raise my brows at Dad. ‘Max?’I hiss. ‘Why didn’t you tell me Max was a woman?’
He grins. ‘I didn’t think it was important. She was just oneof the auditors.’
‘So what changed?’
‘You know, I think it was my health scare. It made merealise I only have one life and I shouldn’t waste it, living in the past.’ Hesmiles sadly. ‘And it also helped to realise you’d never blamed me for your mumwalking out on you.’
We exchange a smile of understanding. ‘Same goes,’ Iwhisper.
‘Enjoy yourself tonight,’ he says. ‘And make sure youcelebrate that brilliant news you received this morning.’
I nod, my heart leaping, remembering the call I took earlierfrom the writing competition organisers. I’d informed them that my accident hadheld up my writing schedule and that sadly, I wouldn’t finish my manuscript intime, and they were phoning to let me know they were moving my deadline, so I’dhave another two months to finish the book.
Everything seemed to be going amazingly well at last.
I’d even been contacted the previous week by a small localpublisher, asking about the story I’d written to launch the Celestial Café.They were thinking they might like to publish it as the first in a series ofstories, centred on my fictitious café, and they were interested to see myideas for developing such a series. I was so gobsmacked, I thought for a momentthat I must have flipped into some kind of parallel universe, where everythingI dreamed of happening actually came true!
I brought myself back down to earth by reminding myself thatthese things often had a tendency to fizzle out and bring disappointment. Butstory ideas were already rushing into my head and I knew I’d do anything Ineeded to do to turn my dream into reality...
Now, Dad pulls me into a quick hug, and when we draw apart,I smile mischievously at him. ‘Right, off you go. Maxine’s waiting. Anddon’tbe home late.’
Grinning, he nips my nose playfully and disappears into thenight.
*****
It’s lovely to see everyone at the dinner and to beintroduced to the girls’ other halves. Katrina’s there as well with herboyfriend, sitting at a table for two. I haven’t seen her for over a week asshe’s been away on a hiking holiday in the Lake District with Stan, so I giveher a little wave.
She comes over once I’m seated. ‘Have you heard any morefrom that publishing company?’
‘No, but I’m busy thinking of fabulous storylines for theseries to send to them.’
‘Brilliant. And are you getting on with writing the storyfor the competition?’ She gives me a stern look. ‘I’m looking forward to beingable to say, “My friend’s an author,” so I hope you’re not slacking.’
I smile. ‘Definitely not. It’s going really well. I...um... seem to have my mojo back, one way or another.’
‘Ooh, and I wonder why.’ She swivels her eyes at Logan,who’s leaning across the table to chat to Ellie’s husband, Zak. ‘You’re on to awinner there, girl,’ she murmurs with a suggestive smile, and we both start tolaugh.
‘Maybe we’ll end up like you and Stan, welded at the hip.’
Katrina grins. ‘I can definitely recommend it.’
The food is glorious. And it’s so lovely being there withLogan. He’s immediately at ease with everyone and chats away, showing a genuineinterest in Zak’s writing career and talking knowledgably with Harry aboutcameras and photography.
‘I didn’t know you were into photography,’ I murmur at onepoint.
He turns with one of his heart-stopping smiles. ‘That’s oneof the lovely things about a new relationship. So much to discover.’ Hesqueezes my thigh under the table, somehow managing to make the comment into anaphrodisiac, and my body leaps in response.
‘I can’t wait.’ I lean into him and he brushes my lipsgently with his, sending a jolt of desire zigzagging through me.
Then Jaz laughingly orders us to get a room, and we part,smiling secretly at the thought of later...
EPILOGUE
‘We finally made it!’ Safe in the circle of Logan’sarm, I lean on the railing and gaze down over the high street from our vantagepoint at the top of the clock tower.
