Page 10 of A Chef's Kiss for Christmas

“Why don’t you come with us?” his mum said.

“She’s working tomorrow,” Warren said, answering for her since she’d just taken a mouthful of tiramisu.

“That’s a shame,” his mum said. “At the florist?”

Anna shook her head. “There’s a craft fair. I’ll probably be there for most of the day.”

“What will you be selling?” his mum asked.

“Tomorrow it will be mostly Christmas wreaths and handmade Christmas cards. I also have handmade soaps and candles, which sell well.”

“That sounds lovely.” His mum smiled over her coffee.

“I’m looking forward to it. I have a table at this fair every year.”

“Maybe we could call in.” His mum looked questioningly at Warren, who searched for an excuse. He’d promised Anna it would only be dinner.

“We don’t have anything planned in the morning, do we?” his mum pressed.

“I thought we’d go for a drive,” Warren said. “There are some pretty little villages to explore.”

“I’d really like to see the craft fair.”

“You should,” Anna said, giving Warren a reassuring look before addressing his mum again. “They have food and drink vans in the car park. You can get mulled wine and hot chocolate, and it’s a gorgeous atmosphere. Not that I get to enjoy it much. I’ll be stuck behind my table all day.”

“Let’s go,” his mum said decisively.

“We can call in, I guess,” Warren said. If Anna didn’t mind, there was no reason not to.

“It’s over at the community centre just outside Bibury. I can send you the details. It’d be good to see you there.” Her eyesbrightened. “I’ll be able to send you off to get me a hot drink and snacks. It’s usually so busy that I hardly have time to move out from behind my table.”

His mum dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “That’s the plan for the morning, then.”

Anna checked her watch as she pushed her empty dessert plate away. “Sorry, I’m going to have to head off. I have to be up early.”

“I’ll walk you home,” Warren said, then offered to get the bill, only to be waved away by his dad.

He held Anna’s coat out for her, and she glanced at him over her shoulder. “I’m fine getting home alone if you want to stay longer.”

“I’ll walk you.” Not only because he didn’t like the idea of her walking alone in the dark, but also because he had no desire to hang around with his parents. The evening had passed reasonably easily, and he was keen to get out while the going was good.

There was a round of goodnights, and his mum even hugged Anna before they left.

Outside, he broke into a smile.

After spending weeks dreading their visit, the first evening had gone surprisingly well.

Chapter Five

Anna breathed a sigh of relief the moment they left the restaurant. It had actually been much more pleasant than she’d expected, but that was the upside to having a mind that insisted on predicting worst-case scenarios. Most social situations weren’t as bad as she expected them to be.

When the cold air hit her, she automatically tucked her arm into Warren’s, and only felt a burst of self-consciousness at the action once she’d done it. While she always felt pretty comfortable around him, she didn’t have the tactile relationship that Carla had with him. But she wasn’t a tactile person in general.

After the evening schmoozing with Warren’s parents, she felt very at ease with him. Also, judging by the look on his face and the way he clamped her arm against his side, he didn’t seem to mind.

“What are you grinning about?” she asked, his smile infectious.

“You!” A loud chuckle erupted from him. “You were brilliant.”