Page 37 of Tears of Ink

I grab my keys and we make our way out into the hot and sticky July heat. It’s no better outside than in. I don’t know what he does, but if ‘stuff’, whatever that is, means he has time to go to the park with me so I can stare at his beautiful face, then I am all for it.

“You look nice in your cap.”

Apparently, I’m now just opening my mouth and shit is coming out of it. He stops my brain from working in a coherent fashion.

“Oh, why, thank you.” He grins and takes a sip of his now cold coffee. We are under a tree at the local park. It’s nice. A bit too nice. “Sometimes it’s easier this way.”

I’ve just bitten into a bit of croissant, but it doesn’t stop me asking, “What do you mean?” He grins at me and chuckles.

“Sorry.” I wipe the flakes of pastry I’ve sprayed everywhere—truthfully, it’s a good opportunity to touch his arm. It’s smooth, warm and firm.

“It’s nothing.” He shakes his head, but I lean a little closer, watching under the peak of the subject of our conversation.

“Do you get recognised? Are we about to be papped?”

He rolls his eyes, which makes me snort a laugh. The man in the suit right now is far away, and long forgotten. “No, it’s just I’d rather people didn’t always know what I’m doing.”

“And do people always know what you are doing?”

Is it me or are we having a repetitive conversation?

He shrugs.

“Is your brother really in line for the throne?”

He chuckles and his eyes dance. I really wish I didn’t notice the way his shoulders lift and his arms flex under his T-shirt. “Peter’s an arse.”

“Not close then?” I grin.

He shrugs again, but in the moment it’s ever so slightly sad, and my chest contracts in response. “It’s just family.”

“What about your sister?” My questions keep on coming. I don’t think I’ve asked so many questions in my life.

“She’s lovely, sweet even.” His face lights with a warm smile. “I want to make sure she’s happy.”

An awful sinking sensation pulls on my stomach twisting it into tangled knots. “It must be nice to be looked after.”

Another shrug.

Then those blues snap onto my face and I’m captured under their intensity. “Why the change of direction? From what I understand, you are on track for a First.”

I can’t look into his eyes and I study the nearest tree. “Things change, and I like it that way. I don’t want things to stay the same for too long.”

From my peripheral vision, I see him nod.

When our eyes meet, I lose all rational thought.

“Tell me a dream. Something you’ve never done but want to.” He takes a sip of his coffee, but those eyes are still on me like a spotlight, unflinching and all-seeing.

I grin and think of the stupidest thing I can come up with. “Kiss in the rain. You know, like the movies?”

His lips curve into a smile. “That’s it? A life dream?”

It’s my turn to shrug. “Maybe.”

He chuckles and stands from the grass. “I hope it comes true.” Holding his hand out, he helps me up from the grass. I take it despite the fact I’m more than capable of getting up by myself. It’s sweet, chivalrous—all the many things I’m not used to.

“So, I’m still hired?” We are watching one another, and around us the air seems to be tightening.