Page 46

She scoffed. How the hell someone could think that the castle wasn’t special was beyond her.

‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m starting to think you got a lucky escape with her.’

‘Yeah, I have to admit, things are definitely looking far brighter now,’ he said, locking his eyes on hers. His hand was lying flat on the table and Bex found herself desperate to feel their fingers interlocked again, the way they had done on the walk back from the pub. The pub where she had told him he couldn’t kiss her. That he would have to wait for another date. This one.

‘We should look at the menu,’ she said, swallowing back the heat that was threatening to colour her cheeks.

‘We should,’ he said, but neither of them moved. Despite the fact they weren’t even touching, the static had returned with such a force that Bex felt like her whole body might combust if she didn’t do something about it soon. Her heart was pounding and from the way his eyes were locked on hers, she was sure he was feeling it too. She was going to place her hand on his. That was what she was going to do. After all, it was only a small gesture.

Her fingers twitched, as if begging to move, and she lifted her arm ever so slightly, wondering why the hell she was feeling so damn nervous, when there was a slight cough to her side. Bex turned her head to see a waiter smiling broadly at the pair.

‘So, can I get some drinks for you?’

Perfect timing, she thought, and just like that, the moment was gone.

41

Bex couldn’t remember ever being on a date with someone who genuinely wanted to learn so much about her. London men weren’t like that. Or at least the ones she’d dated weren’t. They wanted to tell you about themselves – the deals they’d made, the places they’d holidayed, the celebrities they’d met. They’d ask questions occasionally, but it was usually just to set up another chance to talk about their own lives.

‘So, you’ve got a brother, right? And your mum and dad – are they still together?’

‘Oh, yes,’ Bex said with a sigh. ‘My parents are the perfect couple. Totally in love, even after all their years together. It’s sickening. I sort of blame them for my hopelessness with relationships.’

‘Really? Why?’

‘It’s hard to live up to something like that. I’m always looking for a partnership that’s like theirs. Relationships should be partnerships, don’t you think?’

‘Absolutely,’ he agreed.

‘The thing is, most guys say that, but living it is a different matter. I don’t want to give up my work, but that intimidates a lot of men, especially since I tend to earn more than they do.’

Duncan arched an eyebrow, widening those perfectly swimmable eyes.

‘Well, you definitely earn more than me, that’s for sure. I don’t think Fergus has given me a pay rise in seven years.’

‘What?’ Bex’s eyes widened. ‘That’s not okay. You need to talk to him about that.’

Duncan chuckled. ‘There’s no point, honestly. I don’t pay for anything at the lodge, and to rent a place like that – with bills, water… it’s worth a lot.’

‘I guess.’

‘He also covers the car, petrol, and even tabs at the pubs. I probably have a lot more savings and disposable income than most people my age. Or at least I did until I bought the ring.’

The mood around the table shifted slightly.

‘You don’t feel like you could sell it?’ Bex said, the words an unwanted reminder that dating Duncan on any level was a bad idea. But it wasn’t like there was anything she could do about it now.

‘In order to do that, she would have had to have given it back to me.’

‘She didn’t give it back?’ Bex blurted out, feeling a jolt of shock.

‘Not yet,’ he said with a slight shrug. ‘To be fair, I haven’t asked for it.’

‘You need to. She can’t just hold on to that after what she did.’

‘You’re starting to sound like Lorna.’

‘Well, that’s just because Lorna cares about you, too.’