“I’ve been pretty much everywhere. I travelled worldwide, exploring different cities and meeting all sorts of people. But right now? Sitting here with you, in this kitchen? It trumps all that.”
He smiled. “Maybe the best places aren’t far from home.”
Shannon raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? So, all those exotic places you’ve been to and nothing quite beats the charm of my tiny kitchen?”
She turned to check the bacon under the grill. “I mean, I’m flattered, but it’s not like this place has ocean views or fancy cocktails.”
Jamie chuckled, leaning his elbows on the counter, his abs flexing.
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my fair share of ocean views and tropical cocktails. But there’s something aboutthis—” he gestured around the kitchen with a slight nod “—that beats all that. Maybe it’s the company.”
He leaned back, grinning. “The view from over here is fucking hot.”
Shannon fought the smirk dancing and turned herback to him, trying to play down the heat creeping up her neck.
“Well, I’m glad I’m providing such a scenic experience.”
As the bacon cooked, Shannon focused on buttering a few slices of crusty bread.
Yesterday, while she’d waited for the final times at the cross-country event, she wandered around the market stalls with only a twenty-pound note to do her weekly food shop. It didn’t stretch far, but she was happy to share what she had with Jamie.
“Are you a brown sauce or red sauce kind of guy?” she asked, looking over her shoulder to see him watching her with that lazy, captivating grin.
“Red,” he replied with no hesitation.
“Lucky, because that’s all I have.”
“My dad used to make these for my brother and me. I’d forgotten how good they smell.” His voice lowered as he inhaled the greasy scent of bacon.
“They’re my all-time faves.” Shannon threw him a sweet smile over her shoulder, trying to keep it light, but the warmth in her chest lingered.
In reality, butty’s were a low-cost meal that required little prep and covered two of the food groups. It was either that or a bag of salty potato crisps washed down with green tea.
“Mine too,” he said, his voice sounding sombre. “Reminds me of happier times.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“My dad made us breakfast when my ma worked thelate shift at the bar… and then, after she died, Marcus cooked the bacon for me. Every Sunday. Still does, sometimes.”
Shannon’s heart skipped a beat at the story, catching the subtle dip beneath his charm, a quiet flicker of vulnerability that made him seem even more real
“How did she die?”
His chin dropped, and for a moment, his eyes darkened.
“Drunk driver. I was just a kid. My big brother, the guy you met at the party, raised me after that.”
Shannon’s heart softened. “Damn, that must’ve been tough being raised by your brother.”
He shrugged, a lopsided grin tugging at his mouth.
“Marcus can be a cocky shite, sure. But he’s also my best friend. Always has been.”
“I’m sure you were a handful.” She laughed. “How is your dad?”
“He’s with Rebecca,” Jamie said, the smile in his voice fading just a little. “I told her to keep him close. Don’t want the old man wandering off again.”
He ran a hand down the back of his neck. “The responsibility is rough on her. But I pay her a fortune. We’re working on a plan to safeguard him even more and take some of the pressure off.”
