‘I was just in awe of your cardigan, actually,’ I lied, raising my eyebrows and clamping my lips together to conceal my embarrassment. I didn’t know what it was about Scott, but when I was around him, I seemed to lack any kind of composure. Perhaps I should invest in a chinstrap to keep my jaw from the floor.
‘It is a lovely cardigan, but I have something better than that to toast, if you don’t mind?’
‘I’m intrigued.’
‘I’m about to be a free man. I just picked up a voicemail from my solicitor, he’d tried to call me yesterday to let me know my divorce papers are on their way but the signal is hit and miss here. It was much quicker than expected.’ He smiled and raised his glass, but I could hear sadness in his tone.
‘Congratulations, I guess.’ I lifted the corner of my mouth into a sympathetic half-smile.
‘I suppose it just wasn’t meant to be.’
‘No.’ I wasn’t sure what else to say. I didn’t want to push him into an uncomfortable conversation.
‘I thought it was meant to be,’ he continued, surprising me. He had never wanted to talk much about his wife – ex-wife – before. ‘She was so elated when I proposed. We’d been together since university and moved in together as soon as we’d graduated. She loved planning the wedding. I barely had anything to do with it. She’d just occasionally ask my opinions on colour schemes or flowers. I didn’t mind. I was just happy that she was happy.’ His eyes drifted off, focusing on something distant through the window.
I didn’t speak. I could sense his urge to offload, and there really wasn’t anything of comfort I could say anyway. I don’t think ‘screw the bitch’ would have helped, as he obviously idolised this woman.
‘She wanted children, still does I imagine, just not with me.’ His tone was tinged with bitterness.
‘Did you try?’ I ventured, instantly regretting it.
‘No, we were waiting until she got a promotion. It had been on the cards for about a year, and once she got it we’d have had a bigger income, and she would have got more flexibility to work from home.’ He let out a sigh. ‘But in the months leading up to her promotion, she became distant. She worked later and was always tired. We became strangers almost. I put it down to her working hard for our future, until one day I came home from work and there she was, sitting at the table. She’d cooked dinner. There was wine and candles. I was expecting her to announce her promotion, but no.’
He laughed, but there was no humour in it. ‘She was telling me that she’d met someone else, “The One” she called him, and she was leaving me. It felt so out of the blue at the time. I remember wondering how she had time for an affair when she’d been working such long hours. So gullible.’ He shook his head before dropping it into his hands.
‘It’s not gullible.’ I reached across the table to touch his arm. ‘Trust should form the basis of any relationship. You fulfilled your part and she abused it. You’re a good person.’ I squeezed his firm forearm. ‘You didn’t deserve what happened.’
He shrugged. ‘I’m fine. It was her decision, and I’ve come to terms with it now. She’s happy, I guess, and I’m getting there.’ I sensed he was telling himself that as much as he was telling me.
‘Was the affair with someone from work?’ I asked.
‘I guessed it was, but I never asked. She offered to tell me everything, but I didn’t want to know. She had made her choice, so what did it matter? Anyway, I’ve had a great year, spending more time with my mates, skiing again, that sort of thing. I think my mum is more worried about me than she ought to be, but me being single gives the good women of Manchester a fighting chance.’
I smiled, in awe of his good spirit.
‘So what about you? I’ve done all the talking here. What happened with your date? Your mum mentioned it when she passed the note on.’ He took a sip of his beer.
‘Oh, nothing really.’ I shrugged off the question; it seemed so petty in comparison though I did mentally scowl at my mother for telling him.
‘Nothing particularly good or nothing particularly bad?’ he pressed.
‘Well. If you insist . . . it was a great date. Classic rom-com, in fact, without the “com”. He picked me up in a chauffeur-driven limo and took me for a drive, taking in the sights of Manchester. He presented me with a rose, we had champagne, and then we had dinner at his apartment. It was textbook perfect. Until I discovered that my boss, Dee, had set the whole thing up to give me some article fodder for the magazine.’
My cheeks flushed as I relived the embarrassing ordeal once more. ‘I was furious about it, and Dee’s way of apologising was to send me up here.’ My voice started to waver, so I took a long swig of my beer.
‘God, Mel, what an awful thing to do. Did you really like him?’
‘I did. Joseph is amazingly good-looking. And gentlemanly. There’s a certain mystery around him and he treated me like a queen. I felt so foolish for believing such a Hollywood-style romance could happen to me. He’s apologised and said that he really does like me, but who’s to know Dee hasn’t put him up to that too?’
Scott leaned towards me and pushed my hair back behind my ear. His hand brushed my face, and for a moment, my whole body froze with the shock of it. ‘Joseph sounds like an idiot. You do deserve Hollywood,’ he said softly. He leaned over and, before I knew what was happening, placed a gentle kiss on my lips.
My breath caught in my throat, leaving me unable to speak. My urge to grab him was almost too strong to bear. I wanted to pull him tightly towards me, to feel his taut body against mine, but my head screamed ‘NO’ just in time. He was becoming a great friend and I didn’t want to ruin that when I knew he wasn’t ready for anything more. I pulled away gently and gave him what I hoped was a friendly smile. ‘What time do you need to leave?’ I asked, moving into more comfortable territory.
He pulled his sleeve back to reveal an expensive-looking chunky black-and-rose-gold watch. ‘Oh dear, now.’ He screwed his face up apologetically.
‘It’s okay. I should get some work done anyway.’ I didn’t want this moment to end, but my head needed some time to think, to assess what was happening.
‘I’ll walk you back. Hopefully I’ll be able to catch up with you again before I leave. It depends on whether I can escape the lads – they’re a tough bunch.’ He grinned in obvious affection for ‘the lads’, whoever they were.
‘I understand. You don’t need to worry about me. I’d envisaged being alone all week, so seeing you today has been a bit of a bonus. Thanks for thinking of me though.’ A warm glow spread through my chest. He really was a great guy, and I felt lucky to have met him.
We finished our drinks and stepped back out into the cool air. I shuddered at the contrast in temperature. Scott took my hands in his, rubbing them briskly to warm them up. He kept hold of one and held it as he led me back to the house.
I was surprised at how natural it felt second time around. My hand felt warm and homely, like it belonged wrapped in his. I wondered if he felt that way too, or if he was just the touchy-feely type. As we rounded the corner towards my cottage, I spotted a big shiny black Mercedes parked outside. It looked out of place, obnoxious even. My heart plummeted to the pit of my stomach.
‘Are you expecting anyone?’ Scott asked.
‘No, but I’ve a feeling I should have been.’ Dee. She was the only person I knew who would bring a ludicrously out-of-place car up here. What the hell did she want? I realised my hand had tensed and I was crushing Scott’s, so I let go without a word.
‘I have to go anyway, Mel. It’s time to hit the piste, but I’ll try and catch up with you again before I leave.’ He raised an eyebrow expectantly.
‘Yes, do. That would be great. That—’ I frowned at the car ‘—is my boss. She won’t be staying for long, that’s for sure, and I’ve not much else on my agenda.’
‘Great. I’ll maybe see you later on then.’ He leaned in and wrapped me in a warm hug. As he broke
away, he kissed my cheek, once again catching me off guard.
‘See you later.’ I smiled awkwardly.
As he drove off, I took a deep breath and marched over to the black Mercedes, fully prepared to confront Dee about why she’d felt it necessary to drive all this way to see me. As I got closer I noticed the driver was lacking a head of perfectly coiffed waves. I relaxed. It was obviously not Dee. I assumed it to be a visitor at one of the other cottages and passed the car without another thought.
I headed up the small path to the front door, fumbling around in my bag trying to find the key. In all the excitement of the morning, I’d just thrown it in as we left, something I was always doing and constantly regretting.
‘Are you not even going to say hello?’ I spun around, startled by a deep male voice. Standing on the path was a well-groomed and startlingly attractive man. It took me a second to register just who it was. My heart stopped.
‘Joseph?’ I croaked through a dry mouth, my face rigid with shock.
‘Surprise!’ he joked, yet his tone was gloomy; it was obvious my reaction had disappointed him. For some unknown reason, I felt a pang of guilt and softened my face.
‘Would you like to come in for a coffee?’ I asked, deciding to stretch out an olive branch. Perhaps my previous visitor had lifted my spirits.
‘I’d love to.’
He entered the house without saying a word. I headed straight into the kitchen, glad of some respite from the tense atmosphere that had followed him in. As the kettle boiled, I peered into the sitting room. He sat on the sofa, staring straight ahead, fidgeting with his watch. Either he didn’t want to be here and it was just another favour to Dee, or he was nervous. I hoped for the latter; he damn well should have been.
Joseph’s an idiot. Scott’s words rang in my head. Yet here he was. I could at least hear him out.
When the coffee was ready, I plucked up the courage to walk back into the sitting room. ‘So, how’s Dee?’ I asked dryly as I handed him his cup of coffee.
‘Dee? She’s fine. Look, Melissa, I’m not here to talk about Dee. I want to talk about me, you. Us. I need to start with an apology.’
‘You’ve already apologised,’ I cut in, holding the palm of my hand up. I didn’t want to squirm through the whole embarrassing issue again.
‘I didn’t, Melissa. Not properly. Please, can I explain?’ He managed to look me in the eye, but his voice wavered. I saw a chink in his armour, and it made him seem a little more human.
He had made quite an effort to come and see me. The least I could do was listen to his explanation, awkwardness aside. ‘Go on.’
‘Dee knows I’m single, and she knows I’m a nice guy. She’s tried for years to set me up with women, and honestly, I’ve not really been interested. I’ve humoured her a few times and gone along, but there’s never really been a spark with anyone. My work keeps me pretty busy, which is why Dee always steps in – she thinks I need a woman. Anyway, she told me about your article and sold me the idea as a favour to her and you, so you’d have something interesting to write about. There was never any mention of it being a real date for me, which took the pressure off. She said you were single and dated men all the time so it would be “just another date” to you. The date was to be romantic and special, and I was to be the perfect gentleman, which I always am.’
He paused, drawing in a breath, ‘Maybe I went a little overboard with all that. Anyway, when I met you in the coffee shop, I was surprised at how beautiful you were, are. Dee had shown me a picture so I knew who too look for, but when I saw you in person, I was taken aback. I couldn’t believe such an attractive woman was still single. I guessed there would be a reason and I’d find out soon enough. But I didn’t. I haven’t.’
He tailed off, and I struggled for something to say in response. I pretty much already knew what had happened, and I supposed I could see how Dee might have sold him the idea as a harmless favour, but still, they’d made a fool out of me, and nothing could change that. ‘I really enjoyed our date,’ he continued. ‘I really felt a connection, but I didn’t want to sleep with you under false pretences. I wanted our first time to mean something, so I lied and ended the evening. I didn’t want to take advantage of you.’ His eyes dropped to the floor.
‘I appreciate that,’ I said. He looked up at me, a hopeful look on his face.
‘My intention was for us to have a second date, on my terms, our terms. But Dee scuppered my chances of that by telling you the truth before I had the chance.’
‘Well, here we are, on your terms. That is, unless Dee sent you?’ I asked, still wary of her capability to manipulate.
‘No. I did ask about you, and she told me where you were, but that is all, I promise. I tried your friend Amanda first, but she wouldn’t tell me where you were or how you felt about my letter.’ That’s my girl.
I felt myself start to relax. Seeing him reminded me of what I saw in him in the first place. And he had a vulnerability about him that I’d not seen before. Maybe I’d taken the whole situation worse than I should have. Maybe I could forgive him. ‘Okay, well let’s start again. Tell me, what is a date with Joseph really like?’ His shoulders relaxed a little as he caught the humour in my tone, and he chuckled.
‘Well, I generally don’t hire a limo. I use that limo service from time to time with work colleagues, but for dates, no. I find it a bit tacky.’
‘I liked the limo,’ I protested.
‘Sorry, I meant they’re so classy and I always use a limo service on dates.’ He smiled, and as he did, his phone rang. ‘Sorry, I have to take this.’ He gestured towards the kitchen; I smiled and nodded. He went through and closed the door behind him.
As soon as he left the room, my mind turned to Scott. I hadn’t had time to process our morning, and in retrospect, it seemed so surreal. The kiss, the hand-holding? Why did he kiss me? What did he mean, I deserved Hollywood? Why were his arms so strong? Was he being flirtatious? I thought he wasn’t ready for a relationship – weren’t we just friends? The questions whirled around in my head, driving me mad, so I was almost grateful for the interruption when Joseph came back in. Almost.
‘All done,’ he announced. ‘Instead of me talking about my dates, why don’t I just take you out on one, tonight?’
‘That sounds great.’ I forced a wide smile, glad of the distraction, glad to be back on my own track.
‘I have a bit of work to get on top of at my hotel. Would seven be a good time for me to pick you up?’
‘Seven would be fine.’
Joseph finished his coffee and left. What a strange morning it had been. My preconception of this trip had been tremendously inaccurate – time to clear my head, to get my creative juices flowing again. Time to think, time away from the people back home, possibly even a sprinkling of boredom. But instead, surprise and confusion had left my head in a place where I was unable to contemplate writing anything, never mind an article.
All I could think about was Scott. His smile, the tenderness of his kiss, the ease of being around him that even trumped his captivating good looks. But he was out of reach, and it would be wrong of me to want anything more than friendship. He was finalising his divorce, for goodness’ sake. If anything were to happen, I would just be the rebound girl, and I didn’t have the time for a rudderless relationship. A friend was all I could be to him.
That was why I’d decided to give Joseph another chance. He’d taken a huge gamble coming all this way, and I did believe his apology. We’d had a connection once before, and I was hopeful it would still be there on our date.
It dawned on me that it had been a while since I mentally tweeted or updated my Facebook status. I realised for the first time that I hadn’t even missed the internet since arriving at the cottage. Granted, there had been more drama than I possibly could have imagined, but still, that usually gave me cause for an update.
I’d not even missed searching for things to do or places to eat, which wou
ld have normally been the first thing I did when arriving at a new place. I grabbed my notebook. Maybe I would get some of my article written today after all.
Chapter Eighteen
By five to seven I was waiting on the sofa, glass of wine in hand. I’d made the best effort I could with the limited choice of clothing I’d brought along. I had on a smart pair of indigo jeans and a caramel-coloured cargo shirt with my Michael Kors necklace. Luckily I’d brought my whole make-up bag, and I’d found a red Dior lipstick in there that was perfect for dressing up my look.
I looked at my watch; it was five past seven, which surprised me a little as I had Joseph marked as the punctual type. Shortly after, I heard a car pull up outside. I took a deep breath and forced myself to walk into the entrance vestibule. I opened the door before he knocked.
‘Sorry I’m a little late. I hadn’t accounted for the ferry,’ he said, giving me a sheepish, smile. He was dressed in smart grey jeans and a red-and-navy plaid shirt; it was a more casual look than I’d seen on him before. His dark hair was styled smartly to the side, and he smelt of delicious fresh, crisp citrus. I started to feel more at ease.
‘Oh, that old chestnut,’ I joked lamely. ‘It’s fine. I haven’t had chance to get the hang of it myself yet. I’ve only crossed it the once, when I arrived.’
‘It’s certainly quaint. I’ve found a pub for dinner on this side of the loch tonight, so I’m afraid you still won’t have the opportunity.’ I was sort of relieved that it was just a pub and nothing too fancy.
Soon we were in Joseph’s car, driving down the narrow winding roads. To my left I could see the dark inky waters of the loch. There were no lights to be seen around us, a reminder of our seclusion. Joseph didn’t talk much on the journey.
I struggled for conversation too and resorted to the weather, the isolation and the natural beauty of the peninsula. My efforts were met with polite yet predictable responses. Between those snippets of conversation, I admired the scenery, secretly wishing for the champagne from our first ride together to lighten the mood.
The Secret to Falling in Love Page 16
