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She didn’t know if he could hear the nervousness in her voice as she added the last part of her offer, but he almost looked as if he wasn’t paying attention. There was something different about his smile. A tightness to it. It certainly wasn’t what she expected, considering the unspoken suggestion she’d just made.

“You know what, actually, I think I need an early night on my own. You don’t mind, do you? It’s just I’m feeling a bit exhausted with things at the minute.”

“With us?” Gemma said before she could stop herself. Kent quickly shook his head.

“No, no,” he said, taking her hand. “God, no. I didn’t mean that at all. I could never be tired of you. Just with business things and bank things, I’ve just got a lot to sort out at the minute. You understand, don’t you?”

“Yes, yes, of course,” Gemma said, trying not to feel a ping of sadness.

Kent was right, of course. They had been in each other’s pockets constantly, and they needed a little time apart, but still, she couldn’t help but feel that something wasn’t quite right.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked, trying to pick her words carefully. “You’ve seemed pretty distracted all day. And there was something you wanted to talk to me about earlier?”

Kent opened his mouth as if he was going to respond, then shook his head again.

“You know what, honestly, it doesn’t matter. It’s good, but I’ll see you tomorrow at work, right?”

Gemma shook her head. “I’m not working tomorrow. Remember, I’ve got the day off.”

“Of course, of course.” He shook his head as if to shake his thoughts straight. “Right, then, maybe I’ll see you in the evening. We don’t have to, though. We can wait until the weekend if that’s better for you? Or just play it by ear.”

“That sounds best,” Gemma said and kissed Kent lightly on the lips. There was the same distractedness to his kiss as to the entire conversation, and when she broke away, she locked her eyes on his. “If something is bothering you, you can tell me. You know that, right?”

Kent’s smile flickered and for a second, she thought he would say something, but instead, he kissed her again.

“Everything is good,” he said. “How could it not be when I’ve got the best girlfriend in the world?”

CHAPTER 74

She didn’t care how old she was or how silly it might be to other people. Gemma felt like she was six feet high as she bounced back into the coffee shop.

Without even checking on the customers, she rushed around the counter and grabbed hold of Sophie’s hands.

“He called me his girlfriend,” she said.

“What?”

“That’s what he just said. That he has the best girlfriend in the world. I mean, that’s as official as you need to get, right?”

“Absolutely!”

Gemma wasn’t sure why this felt like such a big deal. Possibly because it had been so long since someone had referred to her in that way, and usually, it was only because they had been hoping to take the relationship to the next physical stage. But Kent hadn’t even noticed that she had invited him over for the night. It had just tripped off his tongue as if it was the most natural thing in the world. She was his girlfriend. They were a couple. It was all so simple.

“You guys are so sweet together,” Sophie said. “I know we can definitely do the double dating, right?”

“We can, but maybe when he’s not so stressed with work. He’s got a lot on his plate at the minute. And maybe it would be best to invite one of the other couples too, otherwise we’ll just start talking about the cafe, and Graham will feel left out.”

“Really, Graham spends more time in here than most of the part-timers.”

“You’re right, he does.” Gemma chuckled lightly, though the sound faded as she once again drifted into her thoughts.

“That means you’ll be moving onto the next stage of the relationship soon,” Sophie said, apparently able to read Gemma’s mind. Even though she was a grown woman, speaking to one of her best friends, Gemma could still feel the heat rush to her cheeks. Probably because it wasn’t the type of conversation, they should be having at work, but Sophie clearly didn’t agree.

“When did you last have a wax? And when are you seeing him next? Are you seeing him tonight?”

Gemma shook her head, deciding to skip over the waxing question. “We’re having a break today, but I’m seeing him tomorrow night.”

“That’s perfect!” Sophie clasped her hands together in delight. “Tomorrow’s your day off, right?”