Lottie rubbed her chest, just above her heart, as everything started to make sense. He hadn’t been pushing her away. He’d been protecting himself. ‘Oh, Matt, I’m sorry you had to live through that.’
This time when he looked at her, his expression was fierce. ‘I’d live through it again, as long as it brought me to you.’
Her heart flipped, and hope began to stir again, pushing against the sadness. ‘What are you saying?’
He gave her a wry smile. ‘I thought I’d been clear, that you understood how I felt, but then I realised I’d not actually said the words.’ His face sobered, eyes finding hers. ‘I need to get better at that, at talking about my feelings, but you need to know I love you. And I won’t ever stop.’ Joy spread, warming her from the inside, but he gave her no time to react. ‘I understand if you decide to go back to Henry,’ he continued, expression so earnest it nearly burst her swelling heart. ‘But I couldn’t let you do that without telling you how much you mean to me. How just the honour of knowing you has changed my life, changed me. These last few months have been incredible—’
She crushed his mouth with hers. ‘God, will you just stop talking for a moment,’ she told him between kisses, half laughing, half crying.
He pulled back, eyes clouded with confusion. ‘Sorry.’
‘No.’ She put a hand on either side of his handsome face. ‘Don’t ever be sorry. I love listening to you, but this time I have something I need to tell you.’ She smiled right into his eyes. ‘I love you, too.’
Emotion burned through his gaze. ‘You do?’
‘I do.’ She kissed him lightly, a promise of more. ‘I enjoyed seeing Henry again, and he will always be dear to me, but I told him last night that my heart is yours, and has been for some time.’
Matt looked like he couldn’t believe what was happening. ‘That’s why he went back early?’
‘Yes. He called round this morning and said staying would be too hard.’ Her smile wobbled, just a little, as she recalled the sadness on Henry’s face. ‘He told me to tell you Chewie clearly has more taste than I do.’
Matt briefly shut his eyes. ‘He’s probably right.’
She laughed, pressing her forehead to his, breathing him in. ‘Chewie was jealous of you. Now he knows there’s room for both of you in my heart, he’s cool.’
Matt smiled. ‘That dog is not cool.’
It didn’t matter what he was saying, because Lottie could see right into Matt’s eyes, and they were worshipping her. ‘Are we really doing this then? You and me? A grown-up, serious relationship?’
‘I warned you I didn’t do light.’ His mouth found hers, pressing soft, tender kisses. ‘I don’t just want next month or next year, Lottie. I want forever with you.’
Just when she thought her heart couldn’t feel any fuller. ‘Even if I tell you I need to expand the book club because I’ve got another interested member?’
His adoring smile didn’t dim, his eyes didn’t waver. ‘Even then.’
‘Even if I decide to run a second one? I’m thinking bonkbusters for the over-eighties. Find Audrey some like-minded friends.’
He paled, just a little, but his eyes never left hers. ‘You can run a Fifty Shades Book Club and I’ll still love you.’ He dipped his head to kiss her. ‘Though maybe we could find another venue for it?’
She started to laugh, but then he captured her mouth again, and this time there was no gentle, no light. This time the passion that lay tightly coiled beneath his cool, reserved surface broke free and swept them both away.
Chapter Thirty-Two
November meeting, nominated book:
Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
Matt sipped at his gin as he looked around the animated group. Some things about the Beach Reads Book Club had changed in the last few months, but many had stayed the same.
Audrey still brought gin, still filled their glasses so full, the tonic barely had a chance to squeeze its way in. And she still brought sex into the conversation as often as she could.
Heidi still brought a cake, and it still tasted like the best cake you’d ever eaten.
Gira still had the most insightful comments.
Chewie still eyed up his shoes when he thought nobody was looking.
Sally still said exactly what she thought, without applying a filter.
Amy was still the quietest.
Lottie was still the inspiration, the one who coaxed more than just a book discussion from them all. She was still the one that lit up the room, though he had to concede he was a tiny bit biased.
‘Matt, what did you think?’ Lottie looked over at him, a smirk on her gorgeous face. She knew damn well he hadn’t been listening.
‘I thought the ending was very … apt.’ One thing he’d learnt about the books the club read, they always had tidy, uplifting endings.
‘Umm.’ She shook her head, eyes dancing. ‘Clever. Or it would have been if we hadn’t been discussing what it is about Nora Roberts’ writing that makes her such a superstar.’
He gave Lottie his best winning smile. The one she’d admitted made her belly flutter and her hormones swarm. ‘She writes such apt endings?’
He still felt that little burst of pride when he made the group laugh. No longer did he stay in his office on a Thursday. Now he joined them – mark that down in the things-that-had-changed box. He couldn’t say he read the books as voraciously as the others or – whisper it – that he always read them to the end, but he did enjoy the meetings. The way the discussion pinged easily from topic to topic, sometimes about the book, sometimes about life, always entertaining.
‘She has an effortless, flowing style of writing.’ Eve’s voice cut across the laughter. The club’s new member. Which brought him to some of the other things that had changed.
He wasn’t sure what to make of Eve. She’d declared she wanted to try the club out before committing to it, but this was now the third meeting she’d been to. She didn’t fit easily with the others, at least not yet, though Lottie was drawing her out, chipping off her sharp edges.
‘Ga.’ A thump, followed by a delightful baby gurgle. ‘Bababa.’
Freddie was now nine months old, and a proper club member. His highchair was part of their expanding circle and while his comments weren’t erudite, his giggles never failed to raise a smile.
Even from Eve, Matt noticed, as a crack appeared in her usually austere face. ‘I think he agrees with me.’
Audrey knocked back the rest of her glass. ‘Maybe, love. Or maybe he’s saying she writes good sex scenes. Not hot, mind, more … classy.’
Eve’s eyes bulged and Matt worried he was seconds away from having to get down on his hands and knees and look for them when they popped out. ‘Audrey, do you have to bring sex into every discussion?’
‘Well, it does make the conversation more interesting,’ Audrey countered. Then winked at Eve. ‘Makes a book more interesting, too.’
Matt did a double take. Was Eve blushing? And while he was too polite to say anything, others weren’t.
‘OMG Eve, you’re going red.’ Sally giggled in a way that wasn’t too dissimilar from that of her son, only hers had a naughty edge. ‘I think you secretly like reading about sex.’
Matt held his breath as Eve slowly looked round the group. Was she ready to walk out? He noticed her halt at Lottie. Noticed too, Lottie giving her a wide, encouraging smile.
‘I did read that Fifty Shades book you mentioned,’ she said finally, turning back to Audrey. ‘I can’t say I enjoyed it that much.’ She cleared her throat. ‘Though it did do wonders for my sex life.’
The group burst out laughing, nobody more than Audrey. ‘You devil, Eve. I always say, it’s us quiet ones that you have to look out for.’
That sent another wave of laughter through everyone, including Eve this time.
‘Is that why you joined us?’ Sally smirked over at Eve. ‘You wanted to read more books about sex?’
‘You’ll have to excuse Sal
ly,’ Lottie interrupted as Eve froze. ‘We’d like to tape her mouth up sometimes, but it moves so much we can’t manage it.’
Eve relaxed and Sally gave her an apologetic look. ‘Lottie’s right, my mouth moves before my brain engages. I meant it as a joke. None of us are shy about enjoying a well-written sex scene, but what we really want is a stonking good story with real, vivid characters.’ Her eyes fell on Matt’s. ‘Romance before sex. Wouldn’t you agree, Matt?’
Something else that had changed. His ability to take their teasing in his stride, even when it was about sex. He looked over at Lottie and felt the familiar heat, the rush of blood. The pull on his heart. ‘Romance with sex is even better.’
Lottie rolled her eyes, a blush on her cheeks. But the smile she shot him was full of promise, and sent another bolt of arousal shooting through him.
Another thing that had changed – an important, miraculous change. Lottie and he now slept in the same bed every night. Sometimes it was at hers, more usually at his. Always, they were together.
The chairs were returned to their usual positions, the glasses taken to the kitchen. Freddie’s highchair wiped down.
The end of another book club meeting. As requested, Lottie slipped the last slice of Heidi’s sticky ginger cake into a bag for Jim. He was a frequent visitor to the club, but tonight he’d stayed at home to make dinner.
Home.
She’d started to think of Matt’s place as home, she’d spent so much time there recently. Her house was practically uninhabitable since she’d begun stripping off the grotty wallpaper and Shaun, bless him, had started on the bathrooms. He would often join her on a Saturday while Matt and Amy were working in the shop. Sundays were her favourite days, though. That’s when Matt – him of the designer clothes and healthy bank account – rolled up the sleeves of his Ralph Lauren denim shirt and joined her.
She’d discovered there was nothing sexier than the sight of Matt Steele with bits of paper in his hair, posh jeans splattered with woodchip, biceps bulging as he scraped off eighty-year-old wallpaper.
The sound of a throat being cleared interrupted her daydream and she turned to find Eve.
‘Did you enjoy today’s meeting?’
‘Yes, thank you.’ Eve fiddled with the strap of her handbag. ‘You run it very differently to how I run mine.’
Lottie laughed. ‘I suspect the gin makes a big difference. Loosens everyone’s tongues.’
‘Perhaps.’ For the first time since she’d known her, Eve looked unsure. Vulnerable almost.
‘You know, I don’t believe there’s a right or wrong way to run a book club.’ Lottie made sure to catch Eve’s eye. ‘It just needs to be right for the people you’re running it for.’
Eve glanced towards the rest of the group. ‘I can see my club wouldn’t be right for Audrey.’
‘No. But this club wouldn’t be right for people who want an in-depth discussion, who prefer more literary books.’ She smiled. ‘It isn’t a competition, it’s about bringing the joy of books to all readers, no matter what their tastes.’ She thought of Jim, of what they were going to discuss tonight. ‘In fact I think the more book clubs, the better. Let’s get everyone reading and enjoying books as much as we do.’
‘Yes, you’re right.’ Eve looked like she was about to go, but then spoke again. ‘If people enjoy a wide range of genres, they could belong to more than one club.’
‘Of course.’
She gave a sharp nod of her head. ‘Then I look forward to seeing you here again for the December meeting.’
As she watched her stride off, Lottie felt a warm hand clasp hers. ‘Everything okay?’
She leant into Matt, her heart feeling full. ‘Everything is perfect. I think Eve and I have just come to an understanding.’
‘Good.’ His lips found her temple and he gave her one of his tender, heart-melting kisses. Always discreet, but letting her know she was cherished.
Slowly everyone drifted away and Matt locked up. They found Shaun hovering outside, clearly waiting for Amy.
‘Are you joining us tonight?’ Matt asked when he spotted him.
Shaun shook his head, grinning as he wrapped his arm around Amy. ‘No way. Your dad’s cooking. I’m not that brave.’
Amy giggled. ‘That’s mean.’
Matt laughed. ‘But accurate. Have a good night, the pair of you.’
Lottie sighed with contentment as she watched them head off, hand in hand, back to Shaun’s new flat. ‘Young love. Isn’t it sweet?’
Suddenly she was pinned against the shop, Matt’s smiling mouth inches from hers. ‘What do you call our love?’
She bit into her lip, laughter brimming. ‘Nearly middle-aged love?’
He shook his head. ‘You can do better than that.’
‘Passionate love?’
His gaze heated and he kissed her, long and deep. ‘Close.’
Her eyes drank him in. ‘True love.’
He kissed her again, gentler this time. ‘Amen to that.’
When they arrived back at the house, Jim greeted them with his oven gloves on. ‘There you are. Chewie and I were about to send out a search party.’
‘We’re hardly late,’ Matt countered mildly, taking her coat and hanging it up neatly on the peg along with his own.
‘Maybe not, but your young lady and I have got a lot to talk about. We need to crack on.’ With that he bustled back into the kitchen.
A frown creased Matt’s brow as he looked down at her. ‘Are you aware of this?’
‘Of course.’
He looked put out. ‘Why am I not involved?’
‘Because you don’t have the necessary expertise,’ she teased.
He raised his eyebrows. ‘I think you’ll find I’ve got plenty of expertise where it matters.’
‘I agree, but your dad needs a more cerebral expertise.’
Before Matt could put voice to the question he was clearly dying to ask, Jim shouted from the kitchen, ‘Shift your backsides in here before it gets cold!’
‘What are we eating?’ Matt asked as they sat down at the kitchen island.
‘What does it look like?’ his dad replied crossly.
Matt’s gaze drifted over to her, amusement flickering across a face that was far more relaxed, far more open than it used to be. And even more handsome for it. ‘I’m not sure.’
‘Cheeky sod.’ Jim spooned a healthy amount of … something onto their plates. ‘It’s cottage pie, only I forgot the carrots, so I’ve just shoved them in with the potato.’
‘There’s a reason I’m in charge of cooking round here,’ Matt murmured.
‘Aye, well, me and Lottie have more important things to focus on.’ Jim shovelled a mouthful onto his fork. ‘So, this book club lark. How do I start setting it up?’
Matt spluttered, putting down his fork. ‘What?’
Jim gave Matt a bland look. ‘I’m going to run a book club. Lottie’s helping me.’ He pushed more of the pie onto his fork. ‘We’re going to focus on murder mysteries.’
‘You, running a book club?’ Matt said slowly.
‘And why not? For the past year you’ve done nothing but bleat on about me getting out more. Well, now I will.’
Lottie had to fight not to laugh. It was a measure of how far their relationship had moved forward that father and son could now take the piss out of each without either taking offence.
‘Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a great idea,’ Matt countered. ‘I’m just wondering where you’re planning on holding this new club of yours.’
Jim gave his son a sly grin. ‘Where else? Just got to think of a name.’ He reached for the bottle of wine he’d put on the table. ‘And stock the café up with a booze that isn’t gin.’
As the pair of them began to reel off suggested names – Murder Reads Book Club, Who Dun It Club – Lottie felt a sense of déjà vu. It hadn’t even been a year since she’d sat in the bookshop with Gira and Heidi, deciding on the name for the Beach Reads Book Clu
b.
Yet how different her life felt now.
The club had given her a fresh purpose, and a group of staunch, loyal friends.
It had made her realise that being able to talk to people was a strength. An attribute she should be proud of, though okay, maybe she shouldn’t have done it quite so much at school during class.
Her gaze lingered on Matt and a deep, satisfying warmth filled her chest. The book club had also brought her love.
Just then he glanced up, his eyes meeting hers. ‘You’re unusually quiet.’
‘I can’t get a word in edgeways.’ She smiled. ‘You’re such a chatterbox, Matt Steele.’
THE END
* * *
Don’t miss Mr Right Across the Street, another irresistible feel-good romcom from Kathryn Freeman about the courtship that unfurls through window notes between Manchester newcomer Mia and local bar owner Luke, who lives right across the street…
* * *
Get your copy here!
Acknowledgments
My first big thank you is to my amazing publisher One More Chapter. It’s a real pleasure to work for such a professional, energetic, positive publisher. And speaking of professional, energetic and positive, a massive thank you to my editor, Charlotte Ledger, for being so supportive, so inspiring and for providing yet another fabulous book idea. When she suggested the title, The Beach Reads Book Club, I immediately had this picture in my head of an eclectic group of friends, chatting about everything and nothing (oh, and occasionally books) while swigging gin and tonics on the beach. Perhaps not everyone’s idea of a book club, but thankfully Charlotte gave me free rein to let my imagination run riot and form a book club I’d love to be part of. Thank you also to the lovely Bethan Morgan for being my go-to for any and all questions, and to Lucy Bennett for providing yet another gorgeous book cover.
The character I had most fun writing has to be Audrey, and I’m so sad that the inspiration behind her, my own Aunt Audrey, is no longer with us. Hopefully her daughter, Shelley, and her granddaughters, Kirsty and Karley, will read this and see some of their wonderful Mum and Nan (though Aud’s love of talking about sex is purely fiction!). I have such fond memories of her holding court while my mum and dad, Aunt Shirley and Uncle Bob all chuckled. And while Audrey’s husband, my Uncle Harold, rolled his eyes, wondering no doubt what on earth she was going to say next.
The Beach Reads Book Club: The most heartwarming and feel good summer holiday read of 2021! (The Kathryn Freeman Romcom Collection, Book 5) Page 28