Somehow she found her voice but it wobbled as she spoke. ‘Tristan, the stars,’ she reminded him, passing the book back to him, before lying back on the blanket, eyes trained on the heavens. She felt him lie back down beside her and briefly wondered what would happen if she reached out her hand to his, but it never became anything more than a thought, a possibility she was not quite ready for.
Chapter Nineteen
They spent another hour or so on the beach, burning away the rest of logs, shining the torch onto the pages of the constellation book before peering up into the blackness of the night, trying to figure out what shapes were twinkling above them. Even the portable telescope didn’t help.
‘I don’t think stargazing is going to be my new hobby,’ Tristan admitted as he doused the fire and began to pack up.
Lola pulled herself up, slightly stiff from the cold and blurred around the edges from the whisky. Shaking the sand off the blanket, she bundled it up and shoved it into the bag with a yawn.
‘Oh dear, we better get you home,’ Tristan said, holding out a hand to her.
Lola hesitated before taking it, slipping her gloved palm into his, relaxing into his hold. Sleepiness washed over her and the desire to curl into him was strong. Instead, she stifled another yawn and said, ‘Lead on.’
Tristan paused before shouldering his bag and making his way across the sand, slowing his stride so that Lola could keep up with him. They ascended the steps in companionable silence, torches lighting the way, the sound of the waves bidding them farewell. Contentment settled over Lola like a snuggly blanket, as she followed Tristan up, listening to his instruction, falling for him a little bit more with each step. As she reached the top, Tristan offered Lola his hand to help her up over the final step. She took it without hesitation, sucking in a breath at how natural the contact felt.
Lola drew to a stop next to him, catching her breath as she studied Polcarrow, a reminder of reality, their lives and responsibilities spread out before them. On the beach it had felt as if they were the only two people enveloped in the star-spangled darkness. Tristan paused, as if he too wanted to prolong the magic. Lola squeezed his hand, snuck a glance up at him, her heart tumbling over and over as he glanced down at her. Shyness swept through Lola, an unusual feeling for her, but one that told her whatever happened next with Tristan mattered.
Hand in hand, they meandered home in a silence that fizzed with whatever was coming. Lola wracked her brain for something to say, anything, but she didn’t want to break the spell. Walking next to Tristan was grounding, there was no pressure, she trusted him not only to take care of her, but to do all the right things. Lola couldn’t remember the last time she’d met a man she could truly let her guard down with. The sensation was terrifying but thrilling.
Although their steps had felt slow, they arrived at her cottage far too quickly. ‘It’s like we’re the only two people in Polcarrow,’ she whispered, entwining her fingers through his, giving his hands a little tug.
Tristan glanced up the street. ‘It is, but I like it.’
There was a pause, a shift as he stepped slightly closer, his eyes locking with hers before dropping briefly to her lips and back up again. Lola’s breath caught, her brain scrambled and her body swayed forward.
‘I’ve had a really lovely time,’ he said. ‘Would you like to do more of .?.?. this?’
‘Was this a date?’ Lola asked, every part of her on edge waiting for his reply.
Tristan let out a nervous laugh. ‘Yes, I think, yes, it was a date, Lola. You must know how I feel about you.’
Knowing she had the slight upper hand, and wanting to hear him say it out loud, Lola teased, ‘I think you should tell me.’
Tristan leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. ‘I like you very much, Lola. Why do you think I’ve come for breakfast every morning and let Alf make fun of my tea choices?’
‘Because I have good marmalade?’
Tristan’s arm came around her waist. ‘Well, that too, it is very good marmalade,’ he said as he pulled her to him, his face growing serious.
Everything stopped, it was as if they were the only two people on earth, let alone in Polcarrow. Lola relaxed into him. Slowly she reached up and pushed the locks of hair that always flopped forward off his forehead. ‘I’ve always wanted to do that.’ Her voice caught.
‘And I’ve always wanted to do this,’ he said as he bowed his head and kissed her, ever so gently, but ever so perfectly, on the lips.
As she kissed him back it was as if all the stars they’d been trying to spot on the beach collided.
Chapter Twenty
Closing the door behind her, Lola’s hands flew to her lips as if to cram all the happiness that was bubbling up back in.
Tristan had kissed her!
Not only that, he’d been wanting to kiss her for a long time. And what a kiss it had been! Lola swooned at the memory of his lips on hers, the way she’d melted against him.
Happy dancing into the kitchen, Lola removed her scarf and gloves, scattering her outer layers along the hallway as she replayed the moment in her mind. The sweetly seductive way he’d leaned in, the fact that he’d been waiting for the moment to come. It had been the perfect end of a first date kiss, full of gentle intent. There had been all sorts of passionate clinches in Lola’s life, but nothing had ever felt quite as good, or as right, as being kissed by Tristan. She had the distinct feeling that she had been kissed in the way she had always meant to be.
Lola poured a glass of water and concentrated on drinking it in an attempt to calm herself down before heading upstairs to bed, knowing full well she was unlikely to get any sleep that night whilst still buzzing from the date.
As she got ready for bed, she relived all her favourite moments. The cake had quite possibly been the most adorable thing anyone had ever done for her, and also, exceptionally brave. Ten out of ten to Tristan. Licking her lips, Lola imagined she could still taste the sweetness of the pineapple, the smokiness of the whisky. It had been utterly perfect.
