Page 47 of A Change of Heart

“Everything.” He managed to look earnest as he gazed into her eyes. “I know I was a terrible boyfriend—”

She snorted a laugh. “Really? You think so?”

“I was young and stupid and didn’t appreciate what a good thing I had.”

“For once we agree on something.”

“Give me another chance.”

“No.” Seren glanced along the promenade, thankful to find Kit facing the opposite direction, deep in conversation with a group of middle-aged men and women – presumably the parents of the kids who were proudly playing with their balloons.

“Why don’t we go for a drink?” Felix asked. “Have a proper chat.”

She yanked her hand from his grip. “Because you’re the last person I’d want to go for a drink with.”

“Give me a chance to show you I’ve changed.”

“I know you haven’t changed. Not that it matters. I’ve grown up and moved on. I have zero interested in stepping back into the past.”

“Don’t be like that.”

“Please just go away.” She really didn’t want Kit to spot her talking to Felix.

A high-pitched whistle made them both turn. Cadan stood outside the cafe.

“Are we going for a drink or are you intending to hang around out here all night?”

“Come for a drink with us at least,” Felix said to Seren.

“I’ve got things to do.” She waved at Cadan before stalking away.

Kit stood by the train looking out over the water, his thick blonde hair ruffled by the breeze. She called out to him when she approached, and he turned slowly to look at her, his expression blank.

“How are you?” she asked brightly.

He pushed a hand through his hair to tame it. “Fine, thanks. How are you?”

“Not too bad, you know.”

His gaze drifted over her shoulder, then he lifted his arm to check his watch. “I need to go,” he said. “I’m meeting someone.”

Seren’s chest clenched and a lump formed in her throat.

“I’ll see you later,” Kit muttered as he moved around her.

Anger coursed through her and her blood pumped hard. “Kit,” she shouted, her voice brittle.

He stopped and turned his head to one side, not far enough to look at her.

“How long are you going to ignore me for?”

“I’m not ignoring you,” he said sadly. “I just have somewhere to be now.”

* * *

Kit felt as though he’d been punched in the gut when he saw Seren laughing with Felix. It’d been bad enough to be turned down by her, but to think she’d go for someone like Felix made it ten times worse. He’d had to look away when Felix put his hands on her. It had been a colossal effort to focus enough to chat to the group of parents who’d cornered him after the tour.

When Seren came over to him he could barely look at her. Seething, he told her he was meeting someone and stormed away. He wasn’t meeting anyone – at least he hadn’t arranged to – but a thought had popped into his head, and in his emotional turmoil he’d latched onto it. His determination increased as he strode to Porthcressa Road. He was going to ask Holly out.