by Hannah Ellis
“Jack!”
“You made the rule,” he said lightly. “Don’t get mad at me.”
She paused and exhaled loudly.
“Please,” he said seriously. “Can we at least talk about it in person?”
“It won’t make any difference.”
“Please.”
She’d never been very good at saying no to Jack, but she really couldn’t carry on the way things were. “I’m going to call you back in a minute.” Before he could object, she ended the call.
She paced the kitchen, stopping at the window. All she could see was darkness and her own reflection. An image of Sam came to mind, wishing her goodnight as she hopped out of his van. She hadn’t wanted to leave him.
She reached for her phone again. Jack looked weary when he answered.
“A video call doesn’t count as face-to-face,” he said.
“I thought it was me who made the rules,” she said, forcing lightness to her voice.
“I’m going to hang up.”
“Don’t,” she said quickly as tears dampened her eyes. “I’m breaking up with you. I’m not in love with you. And you’re not in love with me. This relationship makes no sense.”
He sighed and sank back on the couch. “You’re one of my favourite people in the world. Top three I reckon.”
Her chest tightened. He really could be so sweet. What was really heart-wrenching was she knew he meant it. “We can still be friends,” she said softly. “That’s all we really are anyway: flatmates and friends.”
“I can’t imagine not having you in my life.”
“Me too,” she insisted. “But we can still be in touch. I promise.” She also couldn’t imagine cutting all contact with him.
A few minutes later, she ended the call. Relief washed through her, followed closely by a twinge of excitement. She was single and free of the guilt that had been niggling at her since she met Sam.
***
Over breakfast the next day, Josie briefly told Annette about breaking up with Jack. She brushed over it. There wasn’t much to say, really. Perhaps she should have been upset, but if anything there was a spring in her step as she set off to walk the dogs that morning. She was careful not to let Pixie escape again, but it occurred to her as she walked beside the sea of bluebells that it would be a good excuse to visit Sam if Pixie ran in that direction again.
It was tempting to go and knock on his door. She was desperate to see him. What would she do, though? Just wrap her arms around him and kiss him? Ask him on a date? It made her nervous thinking of it, and she decided to leave things until she next saw him and see what happened.
By Monday morning, she was dying to chat to someone. It occurred to her to visit Lizzie and chat everything through with her, but on a whim she messaged Amber instead, asking if she had time for a coffee. Amber messaged back quickly, saying she was going over to the bookshop to visit Tara, but she invited Josie to come along and added the address in the message.
The small town of Newton Abbot, where Tara worked, was a twenty-minute drive from Averton. Josie arrived mid-morning. The Reading Room was easy to find, in the heart of the town. The shopfront stretched across two wide windows and the displays in them were artfully laid out. The window to the left of the door was decorated like a forest, with books dotted between trees, some balancing in branches.
To the right of the door, children’s books were spread out amongst a variety of toy vehicles: some loaded in the carriages of a toy train, some flying in aeroplanes, some on horseback and some in open-top cars. It was fascinating, and Josie stood gazing at it until Tara’s grinning face appeared in the display, making her jump.
The bell tinkled as she walked inside. “This place is gorgeous,” she said to Tara as she embraced her in a hug.
“I’m so glad you’re here! We should have Monday morning coffee every week!”
Josie followed her to the back of the deserted shop, where Amber sat in the cosy children’s corner with Kieron. The colourful carpet was adorned with bright beanbags and cushions and a few cuddly toys.
Josie scanned the area. “This is so cute.”
“The lower shelves in the kids’ corner are full of second-hand books,” Tara told her. “Because kids are brutal! The nice ones are high up, out of reach.”
“The kids’ corner was Tara’s idea,” Amber said proudly. “And she does the window displays.”
Josie was impressed. “I love the windows!”
“She’s given the place a makeover since she started,” Amber said. “It used to be very dreary here.”
“The things I have to do to make it acceptable for my friends to visit me at work! The complimentary coffee was my idea too.” She grinned as she headed to a small table with a coffee urn.
“So your creepy boss isn’t here today?” Josie asked.
Tara glanced around. “He’s in the back,” she said quietly.
Amber shook her head. “He’s not creepy.”
“You should see the way he looks at me!” Tara said. “And he asks me out for a drink every weekend. It’s basically harassment.”
“He sounds annoying,” Josie agreed.
“James is lovely,” Amber insisted, passing a board book to Kieron.
“You don’t have to work with him …” Tara fell silent as a tall blond guy walked over to them.
He winked at Tara. “Talking about me?”
“Nope,” she replied. “Never.”
His eyebrows twitched. “Hard at work, I see.”
“I’m having a coffee break,” she said.
“You’re not supposed to take your coffee break in the middle of the shop.”
Tara rolled her eyes. “We’ve not got any customers.”
When his eyes landed on Josie, she held out her hand and introduced herself.
“You’re James?” she said, unable to hide her surprise. “You’re not quite how I pictured you.”
His gaze shifted to Tara. “So you have been talking about me.”
“Sometimes I mention my slave driver of a boss!” She waved a hand as though shooing him away. “Everything’s under control out here. Why don’t you get back in your office?”
His eyes sparkled with amusement. “I can’t join you for a coffee?”
“No,” Tara said tersely.
“Because you want to talk about me?” he said, backing away.
“Just go!” Tara snapped.
He wandered casually behind the counter of the shop and disappeared from view.
“Tara thinks that’s harassment,” Amber said.
“It is!”
“He’s gorgeous,” Josie said.
“That doesn’t excuse the constant flirting! If he was fat and balding you’d agree that his behaviour was unacceptable.”
Josie ignored the remark, though Tara had a good point. “And he’s asked you out?”
“Every week.”
Josie grinned. “How can you resist?”
“He’s my boss,” Tara said. “And he’s kind of annoying. Did you notice his cocky eyebrow movements? It drives me crazy.”
“But the hair,” Josie said with a sigh. “It looks so soft and silky. I’d just want to stroke it all the time.”
“Urgh! Maybe you should ask him out.”
“No way,” Josie said.
“Oh yeah,” Tara said wearily. “You’ve got a boyfriend hidden away somewhere!”
There was a short pause before Josie spoke. “I haven’t actually.”
“What?” Amber said. “What happened?”
“We broke up at the weekend.”
“Oh my God!” Tara squealed. “Did you ask Sam out yet?”
Josie set her coffee down as she laughed. “No.”
“Does Sam know you’re single?” Tara asked.
“No. Although I’m fairly sure he overheard me telling my sister that I can’t stop thinking about him.”
Amber reached to pick Kieron up as he stumbled over a cushion. “It’s so exciting. Yo
u and Sam will make such a cute couple.”
“Let’s not get too excited,” Josie said. “I don’t know if anything’s going to happen with Sam.”
There was a loaded silence before Amber and Tara started laughing. The more Josie protested, the more they laughed. She was trying not to get her hopes up too much, though, worried that she’d misread things and Sam wasn’t interested.
The girls reassured her that he was interested, but she was impatient to find out for definite.
Chapter 21
The week dragged on without any sign of Sam. Josie was hoping she might bump into him, but she had no such luck. Jack called twice, just for a chat. That was more than he’d called her when they were together. He seemed genuinely concerned about their friendship, and Josie was glad they could stay in touch.
By Friday, she was desperate to see Sam. Spending time with him without feeling guilty about her feelings for him was a thrilling prospect.
She didn’t see him when she first walked into the pub, but when she sat with Amber and Tara, she scanned the room again and saw him by the pool table. He flashed his lovely smile in her direction.
“Did you just get butterflies?” Amber said. Apparently Amber had caught her looking at Sam, though she’d been deep in conversation with Tara.
“What?” Josie said, innocently.
“You did, didn’t you? When he smiled at you, you got butterflies?”
Josie didn’t answer but felt the heat rise to her cheeks. She turned her attention back to the girls. “So James said what?” she asked Tara, hoping to redirect the conversation back to her.
Tara shook her head. “Let’s talk about Sam. Have you got a plan?”
Josie shook her head.
“It’s simple,” Amber said. “Walk home with him again tonight. Tell him you split up with Jack. And then kiss him.”
“It’s a great plan!” Tara agreed.
Josie’s face lit up at the thought of it. “Maybe.” She searched him out once again, then looked away quickly. He was playing pool and laughing. Her stomach really did go all fluttery every time she saw him. In the last few weeks, Sam had taken over her every thought, and now she could hardly keep her eyes off him.
She steered the conversation away from herself and then tried very hard to focus on conversations with Tara and Amber, but the glances she and Sam exchanged across the crowded room became more frequent and more meaningful.
She’d moved to the bar to get more drinks when he sidled up beside her with a silly grin on his face.
Her face twitched into a similar expression. “Hello.”
“Having fun?”
“Always,” she said, her eyes flirting with him.
Andy appeared and broke the tension between them. “What can I get you, Josie?”
She ordered drinks for herself and the girls, and with a glance at Sam’s empty glass, ordered him a pint too.
“I’ll get them,” he said, when she reached for her purse.
“Thank you.” She turned and smiled at him. “How was your week?”
“Okay,” he said. “Nothing special.” He leaned an elbow on the bar but the casual gesture was somehow awkward. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I had a drink with Max on Wednesday. He told me you’d split up with Jack?”
So he already knew. “Yeah.”
“Sorry.”
She shrugged. “It’s not really a big deal.” Her smile was forced. “Apparently most long-distance relationships don’t work out so it wasn’t a big surprise …” She’d meant to sound jokey but her tone missed its mark. She was nervous and uncomfortable.
Sam shifted his weight, standing up straighter. “I wasn’t going to say I told you so or anything.”
“I know,” she said gently.
“And you’re okay about it?”
“Yes.” She brightened and he smiled warmly. “And I still disagree with your view on long-distance relationships …”
“Really?” he said, amused. “Even though you just proved me right?!”
“All I proved is that you have to be really committed. But I definitely think that if you’re really committed, you can make it work. I even think it can be quite romantic.”
He shook his head. “It never works.”
Over his shoulder, she noticed the guys glaring at them from beside the pool table. “I think they’re waiting for you.”
“I said I’d play another game of pool …”
“Try not to lose this one.” She’d been watching when he lost the last game.
“Hey! I was distracted.”
“Really?” She relaxed as he smiled cheekily. “By what?”
He picked up his drink, his eyes sparkling. “I don’t know.” At the pool table, someone grew impatient and called his name. He took a step away from her, then turned back and lifted his glass. “I’ll probably go after this.”
She nodded. “I’ll walk with you if that’s okay?”
The dimple appeared in his cheek again. “How else would you find your way home?”
***
It was half an hour later when they stepped out of the pub together. Josie was surprised by the rain. It had been drizzling when she arrived, but now it was coming down heavily. The disappointment she felt was out of proportion. They’d have to get a lift home with Andy, and she’d miss out on spending time alone with Sam. She’d been hoping for a goodnight kiss.
“Should we ask Andy to drive us?” she said, hovering in the doorway.
Sam zipped his jacket up and looked at her blankly. “Why?”
She laughed as he stepped out into the street. “The rain.”
“Is it raining?” Walking backwards, he flashed a grin. “Come on …”
He held his hand out and she hurried to catch up with him. She was completely drenched in no time, but she was more aware of Sam’s hand in hers than the torrential rain.
She laughed loudly, and when he turned to her, she nudged him into a puddle. In return he kicked water up at her.
“Have you noticed it’s raining?” he said.
“I wondered why my feet were soaking wet!”
“It’s your inappropriate footwear.”
“I do spend a lot of time with cold wet feet recently.”
“Time to admit you’re a country girl and get some wellies?”
“No chance!”
They were completely drenched when they arrived at the house. Josie turned to Sam as he lingered in the doorway. All she wanted to do was reach up and kiss him. They gazed at each other, the sound of the rain on the covered patio drowning everything out. The air was charged between them, but she hesitated too long. Why didn’t she just kiss him?
“I better go and get dry,” he said, shaking his head and sending drips flying from his hair. After a couple of steps away from her, he stopped and turned back uncertainly. Moving quickly, she closed the gap between them. His arms snaked around her and pulled her closer still.
Her hands on his face drew his lips to hers. Not that he needed any encouragement. He kissed her greedily. The first time they’d kissed it was gentle and tender. This time it was full of urgency. Their bodies pressed forcefully together.
She didn’t want to stop, but the rain had soaked through to her skin, and Sam’s body heat wasn’t quite enough to keep her warm.
“You should get in and get dry.” He pulled back, brushing the wet hair from her face. “You’re shivering.”
“I’m fine.” But her teeth chattered until she clamped her jaw shut.
Sam kissed her once more before she hurried inside, grinning.
Chapter 22
The birdsong had never sounded so sweet when she woke the next morning. She practically floated down to breakfast.
“Someone’s cheerful this morning.” Annette poured them both coffee. “Had a good night did you?”
“Very good.”
Annette waited, a sly smile on her face. Josie didn’t elaborate, just sipped her coffee and beamed.
“Sam�
��s coming over later.” Annette popped bread in the toaster but kept a close eye on Josie’s reaction. “I’ve got some jobs for him.”
Josie pursed her lips together in an attempt to stop grinning, but it didn’t help much. She couldn’t wait to see him again and was happy she wouldn’t have to search him out or spend time wondering when she’d see him again.
“Lizzie called last night too.” Annette put toast on the table and sat opposite Josie. “She and Max are going to come over later. They want to take us out to the pub for dinner. I think I’ll stay here though and let you young ‘uns go alone.”
“Don’t be daft,” Josie said. “We’ll all go. It’ll be fun.”
***
After breakfast, Josie went through the usual routine with the dogs. They had two beagles staying – cute dogs and well behaved. It was a glorious day in late May. The weather was unusually warm. Josie spent a pleasant morning walking the dogs and playing with them. In the afternoon, she put on a pair of shorts and vest top to work on her tan. Although, after spending so much time outdoors she already had a lovely bronze glow. After applying a layer of sunscreen, she lay with her face to the sun. The noisy birds sang sweetly, making her smile. They’d annoyed her so much when she’d first arrived, but now she found the sound soothing.
It was utterly relaxing, and sleep had just begun to creep over her when the sound of an engine rumbling disturbed her peace. Sam was down at the barn on a ride-on lawnmower. He drove it up to the house and then killed the motor.
“You’re going to tell me to move, aren’t you?” she said, her face lighting up.
“’Fraid so,” he replied.
“Well there’s no need to look so happy about disturbing my peace!”
“It won’t take long.” He looked slightly apologetic. “Then you can have your spot back.”
She gathered up the blanket. They exchanged a look before she left him to it and went inside.
“I could mow the lawn,” she said to Annette in the living room. “Don’t we look a bit pathetic getting a man to cut the grass? I’m quite capable of driving the mower around.”
“Sam always does it,” Annette said, looking amused. “If that makes me pathetic, so be it! And I wanted him to do it today before this job in Brighton starts. I thought you’d be happy to see him.”