True to his word, the car engine was running and the windscreen de-iced. I shivered as I locked up behind us and headed for the vehicle. But I was forced to pause before climbing in because Fin was staring up at the heavens.
“Stunning,” he said, taking in the thick blanket of stars.
I recalled the blurb on the back of his book again which detailed his time in Hollywood. Having also read somewhere that Los Angeles was prone to smog, I thought it no wonder the man was mesmerised. I followed his gaze and recognising Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka, the three stars that make up Orion’s belt, I acknowledged its wonder. Although having never experienced anythingotherthan a bright, glittering night sky, I had to admit I didn’t pay it much attention as a rule. Constellations were just something I’d learnt in school. “Time to go,” I said.
In spite of the ungodly hour, Fin was clearly pleased to be getting out and about as he climbed into the passenger seat and I appreciated why. He must have been going a bit stir-crazy stuck in the house. The only place I’d known him to go since landing was the village shop and while probably not the same as visiting a Farmer’s Market or organic food fair, for a foodie like him a trip to the supermarket had to have felt like the next best thing.
As I pulled away to begin our journey, I was dying to ask Fin about his job. I might never have watched it, but being a part of the biggest UK cookery show must have been an exciting experience for him. I bit my lip, knowing I couldn’t. Not least because the longer I’d left telling him about the true nature of Annie’s thank-you gift, the harder it had become to mention. Plus, I knew if Fin had wanted me to know about the more dazzling side of his career, he would have told me. In fact, thinking about it, Fin hadn’t said much about anything.
I wondered why he wasn’t in a relationship as Fin hadn’t talked about one of those either. From what I’d seen of him, it was hard to believe the man was still single. “So how come there’s no Mrs Fin?” Having thought that aloud, I immediately wished I hadn’t and feeling mortified, prayed he hadn’t heard me. Staring straight ahead, my eyes drilled through the windscreen and my face flamed red. I couldn’t believe I’d let such words out of my mouth and I thanked God it was dark so Fin couldn’t witness my embarrassment.Someone kill me now,I silently said.
“Why do you ask?” Fin replied. “Is it a position you’re interested in?”
Finding Fin’s question even more embarrassing, I blushed deeper. I turned to look at him, aghast, but he didn’t return my gaze, his simply sat there, face forward, his expression deadpan. “You wish!” I said.
His face broke into a smile and telling myself I should have known the man was teasing, I relaxed and gave him a playful nudge.
He twisted round in his seat slightly to position himself more in my direction. “If you really want to know, I suppose I’ve been too busy building a career to even think about starting a relationship.”
“That’s a bit boring, isn’t it?” I said.
“What can I say? Working in a kitchen involves long hours, which doesn’t leave much time for socialising. Although even if I had been lucky enough to meet the right someone, taking things further wouldn’t have been fair. I’ve seen too many couples crack under the strain of not seeing each other that much.”
“That’s sad,” I said.
“Maybe. But it’s the way it is.” He paused before speaking again. “So, what’s your story? Why is there no Mr Holly?”
I laughed. “My reasoning is less complicated. I’m single because when it comes to the men around here, I’m surrounded by idiots.”
“Harsh!” Fin replied.
“But true.”
“There must have been someone at some stage,” Fin said. “A gorgeous woman like you.”
“Now you’re teasing again,” I replied. “But, yes, there was. A couple of someones actually, although not at the same time of course.”
“Of course.”
“I’m just not the kind of woman who likes to share her man.”
“Duly noted.”
Enjoying the banter between us, I tried not to smile. “Good to know.”
“Cheaters?” Fin asked.
I nodded. “Oh, yes.” As I concentrated on the road, that was all I wanted to say on the matter, something Fin seemed to appreciate and fell as silent as I did. However, I could feel his eyes still on me. “What?” I asked, keeping my gaze forward.
“I wasn’t teasing just then,” he said. “Youaregorgeous. And everythinghasbeen duly noted.”
He turned in his seat to face forward again, while I burned red once more.
14
Usually when I stepped out of the car, I’d be hot footing it indoors, all the while shivering thanks to the cold. However, on that occasion, as I stepped out into the wintery open air, I saw no need to rush. Making our way to the supermarket entrance, I felt warm and fuzzy. During the drive, I’d played Fin’s words over and over in my head and even though I tried to insist he didn’t really think I was gorgeous, there was something in the way he spoke that gave me butterflies.
As we neared the doors, Fin pulled his hoodie hood up, an action that made me smile. “What?” he said, clocking my amusement. “It’s cold.”
