Page 107 of Barging In

He nodded.

“I have news, too,” she added.

“Tell me?” he said, eyes glinting with interest.

“I’m going to be working here full-time at least through the winter. I can always go back to Florence in the spring, but we’ll see. Oh, and… Victoria just kissed me in the kitchen.”

He nudged her. “What! Leave that juicy highlight until last, why don’t you? I’m so pleased for you. The best things in life are worth waiting for.”

“Well, it’s early days, and we have a few things to talk about... Also, my mum walked in on us.”

Max howled with laughter. “Well, I hope you weren’t planning on keeping it a secret?”

“No. I don’t think so.” Clem chuckled.

“I’m happy for us both,” he said, slipping his arm around her shoulder. “To think only a few months ago we were both single boat traders. Now we’re both spoken for and living the dream. How far we’ve come.”

“Okay, enough with the sentimental bull crap,” she said, shrugging him off with a chuckle.

“Yeah, fair enough. Back to work. I only escaped for coffee. I’m glad Emma’s changed it, though my bank account is less than happy. See you later.”

He strode off into the café, leaving Clem with a warm glow. She was so happy for Max; he deserved to find love and have his business dreams fulfilled. Having been the one to guide him in promoting his cider, she’d seen firsthand how hard he worked the last few months in preparing the barn, installing the equipment, and somehow producing, bottling, and branding four ciders in time for today’s launch.

As for herself, she was ready for a new chapter. There was still so much to do here. Preparations for today’s fest had eaten into the few hours she could spare the wharf over the summer months, leaving her barely any time to start on her wider plans for it.

She was eager to start baking in the wharf kitchen, too, though a twinge of guilt lingered over leaving Florence and her business behind. It was the right thing to do, and she wasn’t abandoning her completely; Florence was still her home.

Most of all, she was looking forward to working alongside Victoria every day and watching their relationship unfold. Now she needed the day to end so she could be alone with Victoria… and kiss her again.

Victoria had left the kitchen feeling like a naughty schoolgirl caught in the stationery cupboard. It brought amusement to her lips; the thought of the kiss softened it into a satisfied grin. It was something she’d been thinking about doing for days, maybe weeks, if she was honest, but the right moment had never quite presented itself.

Today, with the wharf full of people enjoying the place she’d put so much of herself into, she felt a joy she couldn’t hold back. She had to find Clem to show her how she felt.

Before heading back outside, she slipped into the museum and hunted down Jasper. She found him finishing up a chat with a group of women who were promising to book a tour.

“How’s it going?” she asked as they dispersed.

“Busy,” he said with a tired sigh. “Tours are booked out for the next two months.”

“That’s great. Our passion project might be flourishing into a fully fledged business.”

“Let’s hope so,” Jasper said, his eyes suddenly narrowing at her. “You’ve got a bit of brownie—” Hereached over and wiped her cheek. “How did that get up there?”

Victoria’s face burned as she pulled back and then wiped it herself. Was he teasing, or did she really have chocolate brownie on her face? A small, brown smudge on her finger revealed the truth.

“Oh… well, they’re so delicious.”

Jasper levelled a look at her, one she knew meant she wasn’t getting away with anything.

“Okay, fine. I kissed Clem,” Victoria said, throwing her hands in the air.

“Finally! I was wondering when you two were going to get it together.”

“There was the small matter of my recent break-up.”

“Break-up?” he smirked. “Don’t you have to actually be together to break up?”

Victoria narrowed her eyes at him, and he held his hands up in mock surrender.