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In that instant, Kitty’s words pulled Josh’s world out from under him. His breath caught in his chest, and his heart pounded in his ears.

He’d known it would happen. That Kitty would leave, but the reality hit him like a demolition ball. A dread filled his body, and his hands gathered into fists at his sides. His brain screamed at him to say something and beg her to stay, but all he could do was nod.

“I… I’m so happy for you, Kitty. We’ll all miss you,” he said, forcing a smile.

Her dark eyes bore into his like she was reaching into his soul. Josh’s stomach lurched. He was making this worse. He had to get away before he said something even more stupid, so he turned and ran.

He ran hard. His feet pounded the smooth tarmac of the road, and his arms pumped at his sides. His legs were heavy, but he kept running, oblivious to everything around him. Once he reached his cottage, he bolted inside and paced in the kitchen in frustration.

No matter how hard or fast he’d run, he couldn’t outrun his feelings. Kitty was going, and he only had a few weeks left with her.

Josh battled to steady his breath, but nausea overtook him, and he ran to the bathroom, vomiting in the toilet. Once the retching stopped, he slid down the wall and sat on the floor, knees to his chest, head in his hands. Regret filled his every fibre. What the hell had he done?

Josh let out a low growl. Now that the reality of a Tottenbridge without Kitty had hit, a burning need for action seized him. He had to tell her how he felt. Even if she turned him down flat, even if she was with Daniel. He had to put himself out of this misery. He couldn’t live with himself if he said nothing and let her walk away forever.

44

KITTY

“Hello gorgeous,”the now familiar greeting, in its warm, low drawl, hit Kitty’s ears through the hum of the crowd.She lay on the rug, not wanting to be part of the throng that moved towards the pavilion for lunch. After half a bottle of prosecco, she didn’t trust her legs to get her there in one piece. Instead, she practised her defence in court, should she unwittingly trip and fall into someone’s picnic:The boredom of cricket drove me to drink, your honour.

Kitty giggled at her joke—never a good sign—and peeled open her eyes to see Daniel. He kneeled on the rug in front of her, arms folded, his cricket shirtsleeves rolled to his elbows to reveal sinewy olive skin.Nice. His face wore a rakish look, and he had grass stains on his thighs.

“You’re dirty,” she said.

“You know better than to say things like that to me. It’s only asking for trouble, and it’s hardly in keeping with our new status as friends, is it?”

Kitty pushed herself up to her elbows.

“You know what I mean. Is it over?” Daniel’s eyebrow raised. “The game, I mean. It’s taking a lot longer than I thought.”

“Most women wouldn’t complain about that,” he smirked.

“It's just not cricket!” she said in a plummy English accent and dissolved into fits of giggles.

“How much have you had to drink?”

“Too much, I think. The sun makes me thirsty.”

Daniel rolled his eyes and offered her a hand, pulling her to her feet. She steadied against him, and the world spun. The spicy smell of his cologne mingled with the scent of fresh grass clippings, and she swallowed down the sour acid of wine.

“Let’s get you some food. I think we need to find Julia. She can keep an eye on you for me.”

“And I thoughtyouwere my chaperone?” she asked. Daniel’s eyes met hers.

“Give me the opportunity, and I’d chaperone you nonstop.”

“Daniel….”

“I know, just friends. Message received loud and soul-crushingly clear.”

After making slow progress across the grass, they found Julia holding court at the buffet, force-feeding anyone who dared to linger too near her sausage rolls. The tables groaned under a payload of vol-au-vent and cheese straws. Kitty’s head swum with all the noise and colour in the room, the ancient ceiling fans doing little to move the sultry air.

“Can you prop Kitty upright for a bit?” Daniel said, pushing her towards a startled Julia. “I need to powder my nose.”

“But she was fine half an hour ago!” squeaked Julia.

“I’m fine now!”Kitty argued.