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“I don’t know where you live,” she said suddenly. “Do you live in Maldon? You’re not from Maldon, are you?”

“No, I’m from all around, really, but my housing situation is a little... tricky at the minute. I’m not sure that’s the right word. Eclectic, maybe.”

“Eclectic housing?” Gemma’s interest piqued. “What does that mean? Are you part of a commune? Are you a cult leader? I could see you as the dashing autocrat. All these people following your every word.”

“I’m not sure that’s a compliment,” Kent laughed. “And I’m not sure anyone would follow me. No, I’m not part of acommune. Not exactly. Money’s been a bit tight since I bought the restaurant, so I’ve been staying in a caravan on a friend’s farm.”

“What?” Gemma’s hand flew to her mouth. “You’re not serious?”

He shrugged lightly.

“It makes sense. No real bills mean I don’t have to pay myself a proper salary. I can eat at the cafe so I save there too, and it’s not like it’s going to be long term. Just until the cafe—” he paused and tightened his smile. “Just until the cafe makes a bit more.”

“Wow,” Gemma didn’t have any other response. “Okay, now I am definitely splitting the champagne with you.”

“No, you’re not,” Kent said. “If there’s one thing I’m happy to spend my money on, it’s this.”

His hand was on hers again, and she had no idea how it had got there. It was like her fingers had a will of their own, and all they wanted was to be entwined with his.

“I think I’d like to do this again,” Kent said quietly. “This type of…night out. With you. In case that part wasn’t clear. I’d like to have dinner with you again. And not call it work.”

Gemma wasn’t sure what to reply. A lump filled her throat and while the butterflies that had invaded her insides knew exactly what they wanted her to say, she couldn’t do it. It would be rash and silly and wasn’t the type of decision you made after more than a bottle of wine. As she avoided answering, she glanced around the room.

“Did you realise everybody else has gone?” she said, pulling her hand away from Kent in surprise.

“What?”

“We are the only people in here.”

“That can’t be right, it’s only—” Kent glanced at his watch. “It’s 11:30. How did that happen?”

“I don’t know, but I’m at work tomorrow. That horrible boss will make my life a living hell if I’m not in a fit state for working.”

They giggled again, but it didn’t last for long. “I guess we ought to find Magdalen and grab the keys to our rooms,” he said, making no attempt to hide the disappointment in his voice.

Five minutes later, he had tracked her down and paid the bill.

“I’m glad you had a good night,” Magdalen said as she hugged them both, before stepping back and looking at Gemma. “And I’m glad this one’s finally found someone to meet his ridiculously high standards. You two are very cute together.”

“Oh, we’re not together,” Gemma said, shaking her head unnaturally quickly. “We are just work friends. Colleagues. He’s actually my boss.”

“Sort of,” Kent interjected. “I bought a café?—”

“Only he didn’t tell me he bought the café; he told me he was just running it,” Gemma interrupted.

The wine had clearly loosened her tongue, and she prepared to tell the entire story. Only something about Magdalen’s expression stopped her.

“What is it?” Kent asked, apparently noticing the same change. “Mags? Is something wrong?”

“I’m so sorry,” Magdalen said. “You two came in together. I just assumed… I’m afraid I may have made a slight error of judgement.”

CHAPTER 53

The three of them stood in the doorway to the beautifully decorated guest room. The walls were painted a powder blue, while a watercolour painting of the street hung on the wall. To the right of them was the ensuite. While in the centre of the room, the bed was decked out in pristine white linen—one double bed.

“It didn’t even cross my mind that you weren’t together,” Magdalen said, having apologised at least a dozen times already. “You’ve been so cosy and giggling together all night.”

“No, it was a work meeting,” Kent said, although he cleared his throat several times during the sentence, which made it sound terribly unbelievable, even to Gemma, who knew he was telling the truth.