Page 94 of The Weekend Getaway

“If that’s an option, I’ll definitely choose it.”

“I guess it could be an option,” she said, her breath caressing his lips before she kissed him.

* * *

Keira felt a flutter of nerves while they waited for her parents to arrive at the cafe she’d suggested for lunch. She couldn’t take her eyes off the door. After her initial hesitation she was sure Noah was right about it being best to clear the air. Hopefully they could get back to normal and put the argument behind them.

“It’ll be fine,” Noah said, breaking her trance.

“Sorry.” Her eyes flicked to him and she realised she hadn’t been paying him any attention. “I was miles away.”

“I noticed.” He leaned in to kiss her, then glanced at the door. “Your mum’s here.”

Keira stood to hug her. “Where’s Dad?”

“He couldn’t make it.” Sue kissed Noah’s cheek while telling him it was nice to see him again.

“Why couldn’t he make it?” Keira asked as they took their seats.

“He’s got some things to do.”

Keira’s chest felt tight. “He doesn’t want to see me, does he?”

“He didn’t say that.”

“Whatdidhe say?” Keira asked, holding back tears.

Her mum pursed her lips. “He’s not really speaking to me. When I asked him to come he only shook his head. He’s hardly spoken a word since you left on Friday. He went to work yesterday, then came home and went straight up to bed.”

“Sorry,” Keira said. “I should have kept my stupid mouth shut.”

“It’s nothing I haven’t said to him a hundred times.”

“Really?” Keira asked, her voice rising in pitch.

“He’s been throwing our money down the drain for as long as I can remember. I’ve told him so many times not to ask you for money. Eventually I gave up. It’s like talking to a brick wall.”

“I didn’t know,” Keira said. “Do you think he’s a gambling addict?”

She nodded, then smiled at the waitress who came to take their order. The whole time, Noah’s leg rested against Keira’s and his hand cradled hers in her lap. Keira struggled to concentrate on what she wanted to eat and ordered the same as Noah to save her having to choose.

“I never knew you thought he had a problem,” she remarked as the waitress left them alone. “Why didn’t I know that? And why didn’t I notice he had a problem?”

“Maybe you didn’t want to,” her mum said. “You idolised your dad when you were little.”

Feeling like the world’s biggest fool, Keira turned to Noah, thankful that the look he gave her was sympathetic rather than smug. “I bit your head off, but you were right,” she said apologetically.

“I guess it’s easier to see these things when you’re not so close to the situation. But I never wanted to cause problems.”

“I know.” She squeezed his hand. “What should I do about Dad?” she asked her mum.

“Nothing. Give him time to cool off and he’ll get in touch with you.”

“Maybe I should message him and apologise.”

“Don’t,” her mum said fiercely. “You don’t have anything to apologise for. And him thinking you’re upset with him might not be a bad thing.”

Chapter Thirty-One