Page 58 of Kiss Me Like You Mean It

‘It’s not his car,’ Nico says, his voice suddenly gruff.

‘I know, but it’s nice of him to think of it,’ I say. ‘I really like him.’

‘You really like him?’

I nod frantically. ‘Yup.’

‘What exactly do you like about him?’ Nico’s eyes are fixed on me, and I think he must be realising how flustered I am.

‘Oh, you know,’ I say, barely able to remember what we’re talking about. Luke! Right, Luke. ‘He seems like a good guy. He made me feel really welcome last night.’

Nico’s posture softens. ‘Of course he did. All my friends loved you.’

‘Really?’ I ask hopefully. I’d want his friends to like me anyway, because they’re important to Nico, but I realise now that I want them to like me for me, too. Last night was a bit like that first morning with Nico and Phoebe… a glimpse at the sort of life I always wanted but never felt I could have.

‘Yes,’ he huffs out a laugh. ‘They’ve formed a Lee Turner-Jones fan club. Mei told me they’re only using me to get access to you from now on.’

I can’t hold back a laugh at this. ‘Kat did invite me out to girls’ night,’ I confide, trying to sound cool about it but failing miserably.

‘That’s great,’ Nico says with another smile. ‘So,’ he turns and gestures behind him to the inn, ‘do you want the tour? Are you going to stay and keep me company over lunch?’

‘Yes, please. All of it.’

He leads the way towards the door. ‘Do you need me to wear a hard hat or something?’ I ask.

When he turns back to look at me there’s amusement in his face. ‘As much as I’d like to see you rocking a hard hat, the structural work is long finished. That’s why the rest of the crew are done… the whole project is wrapping up. It’s all cosmetic now, so you’re fine, just watch where you step – especially in those heels.’

‘I think I’d look great in a hard hat,’ I say, following him through into the entrance hall that I saw briefly the other night, which is acting as a bit of a storage space – boxes, tools and tins of paint are stacked against the walls. Nico puts the bag of food down next to a rolled-up rug.

‘If anyone could pull it off, it’s you,’ he says, and it’s not even a real compliment, but try telling that to my face because I can feel the broad, delighted smile stretching across it. So much for playing it cool.

‘Come on,’ he gestures towards the staircase, ‘let me show you what I’ve been up to.’

Chapter Nineteen

Nico

‘Okay, I know I said this about the last room but this one really is my favourite,’ Lee says, standing in the middle of the small suite and turning in a circle.

‘You’re just saying that because it’s called the library room.’ I watch her as she runs her fingers over the floor-to-ceiling shelves that I built into three of the walls.

‘Maybe,’ she agrees. ‘I love the dark blue, so dramatic, and it makes it feel all decadent and cosy. And the bed will fit in that alcove there?’ She points to a space cut into the shelving for the headboard.

‘That’s right.’

‘So you’ll be able to sleep surrounded by all the books!’

‘And read them by the fire.’ I walk over to the fireplace that I’m in the process of cleaning up. ‘Magda has ordered some hand-painted tiles from a local artist. They’ve got illustrations and book quotes on them. And there are two wingback armchairs that will be arranged just here.’

Lee makes a sound that goes straight to my groin, but fortunately her attention is on the door through to the bathroom and she wanders off to explore while I try to get myself under control.

‘Oh, this bathtub!’ she calls back to me. ‘You’d never get me out of here.’

That image is not particularly helpful in my current situation.

When she reappears, she’s flushed with excitement. ‘I love it so much. This place is a dream.’

‘It’s definitely getting there,’ I agree. ‘Magda should be able to start putting the furniture back in in the next couple of weeks.’