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Gemma let out a small scoff. “I think I can cope without learning that skill. Besides, a weekend off together? We’ll be lucky to get a day.”

Suddenly, the optimism that had filled her since they had kissed faded a little. It was all very well saying that they wantedto make a go of things, but he’d be getting up extra early and probably want to go to sleep earlier than her because of his hours in the kitchen, and they would rarely get the same days off. The only real time they’d be able to see each other was when they were working together, and that was hardly quality time.

“Don’t do that,” Kent said, his voice breaking through to Gemma.

“Do what?”

“Think about all the reasons this won’t work. How about we just take one day at a time and see how that goes?”

It was hard to ignore the weight pressing down on her chest, but something about the certainty in Kent’s eyes made Gemma feel as though he was right. Like as long as they approached this together, it would all work out fine. It had to, didn’t it? She was too far in now for it to go wrong.

CHAPTER 64

Gemma couldn’t remember the last time she was nervous for work, but she was. It was Monday morning, and she, Kent, and Sophie would all be working alongside one another.

She and Kent had spent all day Sunday together. Judging from the rota, it would be the last time for two weeks that they’d have the same day off, and she had wanted to make the most of it. So she’d taken him on a tour of the local area—starting with a walk at Danbury Lakes before driving across to Paper Mill Lock and having a drink at the café there. The entire time, as they walked around, looking at the ducks and occasionally stopping to kiss, their hands remained clasped together. It had felt so natural that she couldn’t believe she had ever thought there was anything wrong with it. Even when he’d driven her home, and they’d needed to say goodbye at least a dozen times because they kept kissing, it had all felt incredibly normal. As if he’d always been part of her life, or at least was meant to have been. Now, however, as she had to face the reality of him being her boss, her nerves had returned in torrents. It didn’t help that she wasn’t yet ready for Sophie to find out about them either. It was her workplace too, and the last thing Gemma wanted was for her to feel like it had changed.

“Did you hear anything I just said?” Sophie’s questioning tone made Gemma realise she should have been listening. She wiped the milk frother clean while reminiscing about the sneaky kiss Kent had given her when she deliberately arrived early that morning.

“Sorry, what were you saying?”

“I was asking whether you think flowers are too generic a present to send Graham’s mother for her birthday. Honestly, what’s going on with you? You keep looking at the kitchen. Did something happen between you and Kent again?”

A flood of heat rushed to Gemma’s cheeks.

“What do you mean? Who did you speak to? What did they say?”

“Nobody said anything,” Sophie replied. “I was just asking if you and Kent had another argument. I thought you two were getting on well now. Really well.”

“Oh, yes—I mean, no. I mean, we’re fine.” Gemma was trying to act natural, but she knew she was doing a terrible job at it. “I’ve just got a lot of stuff on my mind, that’s all.”

“About him being the owner? I get it, but honestly, I think it’s all going to work out really well. I’ve just got this feeling, you know.”

“Yes, right. Sorry, Sophie. I’ve just got to go check something with Kent. He was going to order these… these things. I need to check to see if he’s done it. You’re okay with holding down the fort here, right?”

“Yes, of course,” Sophie said, taking Gemma’s jug of hot milk and using it to make a latte. “But I’m still going for my lunch in five, right?”

“Sure, I just need a minute...” Gemma said though she was only half listening to what Sophie was saying.

She needed to see Kent.

CHAPTER 65

The way she was behaving made Gemma feel like she was an irresponsible teenager again and not a fully grown adult. Yet, unlike her teenage years, she was loving every minute. Sneaking kisses between orders, hurrying to leave so they could meet again in the evening. It was fun and carefree, and somehow, they made it to the following Thursday without Sophie suspecting a thing.

“I’m sure we have a larger-sized teapot than this,” Gemma had said on Tuesday morning when she’d wanted an excuse to go and talk to Kent. “I’m just going to see if it’s in the kitchen.”

“I think the dishwasher must be out of salt because these glasses aren’t as clean as they should be,” she said on Wednesday while holding a perfectly clean glass. “I’m going to check.”

“I think we’re out of clean dishcloths for wiping down the tables.”

“We’re out of hand soap.”

“I’m just going to see how long those orders are taking.”

“I’m going to top up the salt cellars. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”

As unnatural as it had been to start with, Gemma quickly discovered she was better at lying than she’d ever expected.She’d spent more time in the kitchen in one day than she usually did in a week, but Sophie didn’t seem to notice, and each time Kent’s face lit up when he saw her as if it had been days since they’d last been together.