Page 16 of One Golden Summer

Saffron snapped her fingers with both hands in an attempt to act normal and like she hadn’t been ogling Kirsty. “It just seems so abnormal.”

“I think always worrying someone is going to hurt you isn’t normal or a decent way to live.”

Saffron let those words sink in. Could she ever adjust to the Sandy Cove way?

Kirsty seemed to notice the surroundings for the first time and let out an appreciative whistle. “I’ve always wanted to see the inside of this place. This kitchen is to die for.” Kirsty’s eyes panned the gourmet set-up with all the sparkling chrome. She moved closer to the glass door. “And, the view of the sea from the private garden is incredible. I could sit here for hours, drinking coffee.”

“Not wine? I’d assumed with a shop named Wine Time, it was, well, always time for it.” Saffron leaned against the island.

Kirsty’s face split into a dazzling grin. “Between you and me, I try to drink it only in the evening.”

“Scandalous!”

“Remember, that’s not common knowledge and could wreck my rep.” She jiggled her brows playfully.

“Is it hard being surrounded by exquisite wine all day and not sampling the goods?” Saffron mimed taking a naughty sip, her mind not exactly on wine.

“It’s just part of the job, really. Like you being surrounded by beautiful people. I’m sure you’re able to not lick—” Kirsty’s hand flew to her mouth. “I really have no idea why that particular example came to mind.”

Saffron laughed. “We have signs on every set. Do not lick the actors.”

“Can I nosey around?” Kirsty looked past Saffron.

“By all means.” Saffron led them to the sitting area. “I keep meaning to buy a book and some wine to spend my evenings with. Thanks to you, I can tick wine off the shopping list.” She made a large check mark in the air, wondering why she couldn’t stop from acting punch-drunk.

“I love the stone fireplace. A pity you won’t be able to use it while you’re here.”

“Can’t win them all.” An image of Kirsty in front of the fire, the reflection of the flames in those eyes—Saffron swallowed.

“Maybe you can strip down and—”

“Lie on a bearskin rug, ready for my naked photo shoot?” Saffron raised one eyebrow.

“Do you have a crowbar?”

“For?” Saffron enjoyed Kirsty twisting herself into knots, refreshing considering most delivered the cheesiest come-on lines with sincerity as if that would make the star swoon. Kirsty was sincere by being awkwardly real.

“To unwedge my foot out of my mouth.” The blush on her cheeks deepened to a dark rose, highlighting the beauty of her facial features.

“It’s quite charming being around someone who speaks their mind.” Saffron couldn’t quite wrap her head around why she’d been so frank.

“Glad you think so.” Kirsty glanced about. “There aren’t many personal touches, are there?”

“That’s the curse of always staying at someone else’s place. You’re captive to someone else’s artistic taste, which can be a blessing or a curse.”

“Don’t you have a home in London?”

“I do and a place in California. But even those have been decorated by other people. I’m hardly in a place long enough to crave putting my own stamp on it. Everything is usually taken care of by others, under the watchful eye of my assistant.” Saffron shrugged, as the knowledge settled into her chest like a heavy stone.

“Must be nice.”

“Yes and no.” Saffron ran a hand over the back of a velvet couch. “It’d be nice not to feel like a stranger all of the time. Lately, I’ve been thinking it’d be good to plant some roots. I daydream about getting a dog, being able to go for a walk every afternoon. To not rush everywhere but to have the time to savour the normal things in life.”

“It’s a good thing you’re here, then, because this place is the definition of slow and steady, especially when the DFLs aren’t here.”

“The what?”

“Down From London.” Kirsty checked her wrist. “Speaking of walking, I best get going for mine.”