Page 68 of A Change of Heart

Just as he’d said, he pretty much forgot about Holly beside him as he chatted to his passengers. That was how it felt – as though he was chatting to them rather than reciting information. Catching their smiles in the rear-view mirror when he told a joke always gave him a buzz.

An hour later they were back at the beach with satisfied customers discreetly handing over tips while Kit deftly modelled balloon animals for the kids waiting patiently around his legs. It wasn’t long before the crowd dispersed and Kit turned his attention to Holly. She’d remained in the passenger seat and seemed lost in thought but beamed at him when he went over to her.

He held up his balloon pump. “Can I tempt you to a giraffe? Or an elephant?” He tilted his head. “Maybe just a coffee?”

“Coffee sounds good …” She sighed and looked suddenly weary.

“Are you okay?” Kit slipped into the driver’s seat and looked at her in concern.

“I don’t think we should go for coffee. I’m sorry. The reason I wanted to meet up with you was to tell you in person that I can’t see you any more.”

She paused for a moment but kept talking when Kit didn’t comment. “You’re so lovely, and I enjoy spending time with you … Ireallyenjoy spending time with you, so this feels completely stupid, but I’ve just come out of a relationship and I don’t want to jump straight into another one.”

She wrung her hands in her lap. “If I’m honest that’s not even the real reason … I think you’re great but I’m just not attracted to you … not in any kind of romantic way…”

He drummed on the steering wheel. “That’s okay.”

“I’m so sorry. I feel terrible.”

“It’s fine.” He turned to face her, his smile coming naturally. “I feel the same.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “You do?”

“Yes. I like you, but I’m not attracted to you.”

She pressed her lips together. “It’s crazy how offended I am by that.”

“Sorry,” he said, amused. “It’s nothing personal. There’s someone else I like.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Were you using me to try and get over them or to make them jealous?”

“Definitely not to make her jealous. I don’t have any chance with her. I guess I thought dating might be a nice distraction. But then I immediately felt bad that I might have given you the wrong idea.”

She smiled warmly. “Looks like we’re pretty much in the same boat. I’m glad there are no hard feelings. I was dreading speaking to you.”

“I really did enjoy going out with you,” he said. “Which I was pretty surprised by. I thought it’d be a disaster.”

“Me too.” She straightened her spine. “Any chance you still want to date me? But like platonically … as friends?”

“I’m not sure you’d call that dating … isn’t it just friends hanging out?”

“Yes.” She laughed. “Can we do that?”

He nodded. “Shall we get that coffee then?”

“Yes. And I can get a massive slice of cake without worrying that you’ll think I’m a pig.”

He hopped out of the train and walked around to her. “I’m going to think you’re a pig.”

“That’s fine.” She slipped her arm through his. “It’s not a date, so I don’t care what you think!”

“Women are weird sometimes, you know?”

“Yep. Speaking of which … who’s the mystery women who you’ve got a crush on?”

“I’m not telling you.”

She gave him a sidelong glance. “Which means it’s someone I know …”