Page 35 of Twilight Tides
We ate in silence for a few seconds and then Murray broke it. “So … I heard you scolded Shona McIver in the supermarket.”
I almost choked on a piece of pasta. Murray snorted as I reached for a sip of water and then spluttered, “H-how did you find that out so quickly?”
“London, we live in Leth Sholas.” His beautiful green eyes danced with amusement. “Word spreads like wildfire.”
“Well, she ambushed me, trying to get information about our relationship. And then she does that passive-aggressiveWe’re all so surprised that once again he hasn’t married an islanderand so I asked her why would you marry one of the locals when they’re all gossiping about you and insinuating really not nice things?”
“I heard.” He leaned back in his seat, wiping a napkin over his mouth. “I appreciate it.”
“FYI, you could have had Shona in a heartbeat.” I smirked, but there was that awful, clawing feeling in my chest even thinking about Murray with Shona. “Unless you already have …”
The crest of his cheeks flushed a bit as he said, “No, Shona and I have never … but …” He shrugged before taking another bite of food.
What did that mean? “Has she … did she ask you out?”
He swallowed and shook his head. “Not in so many words. But she made her interest clear.”
“Has anyone else?” I clamped my lips shut because I was pretty sure I was coming off as a jealous wife.
Murray shrugged.
Silence fell between us as we ate, but my gaze felt beyond my control, flicking to him every few seconds. The funny thing was every time I looked at him, he was looking right back and then we’d glance away as if embarrassed to be caught staring at each other.
“How’s Kelly?” I asked.
“I talked to her just before you arrived. She’s excited to meet you next month.”
Nervous about that, I offered, “I hope she likes me.”
“She’s met you. She likes you.” His tone was reassuring.
“It’s different now. I … I don’t want to hurt her when this … when you and I …”
Murray nodded grimly. “I know. But I was thinking even when we decide to part ways, it doesn’t mean we won’t be friends, right? That you and Kelly won’t remain friends?”
Friends.
Despite the ache in my chest, I nodded. “I’d like that.”
“Kelly has always had my mum, who I think of as an excellent role model, but it’ll be nice for her to have a woman in her life closer to Jill’s age who she can look up to.”
My lips parted in surprise. “And you think she can look up to me?”
Murray frowned. “Of course. You left behind your whole life to start over somewhere new. Gave up financial privilege because you understood what mattered was your freedom and happiness. How many people have the guts to do that? Do you even know how brave you are, London?”
Emotion tightened my throat, so my words were hoarse. “You think so?”
“I know so.”
Don’t do this, I thought, panicked.Don’t make me fall …I shoved a forkful of pasta into my mouth, hoping the chewing would drown out the thought.
The rest of our dinner turned to idle chitchat about work and our friends. It continued as we cleaned up in the kitchen together. Afterward, Murray followed me into his beautiful music room, and I shook my head in wonder at his awesome record collection and sound system.
“We like a lot of the same music.” He had eclectic taste, much like me. “There are bands and artists here I haven’t heard of before, though. I’ll need to check them out.”
“You can listen to them anytime.” Murray leaned against the baby grand.
My gaze flickered to the piano stool. “Do you play?”
