Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
He smiled into her eyes. “So wise. And so beautiful.”
He kissed her again, and she momentarily forgot that they were in the middle of the crowded market hall. Were it not for the books that she was clutching to her chest between them, the kiss would surely have deepened. But the time was ticking away, and not only was there still a lot of work to be done at the cottages this afternoon, but there was Mari’s big book launch tonight. They couldn’t miss that.
All their purchases made, they headed back toward the Tube. Everybody else on board was used to this and it was no big deal for them to be traveling beneath the streets of London through these marvelous stations that were each so unique. But for her, it was yet one more thing to add to her memory bank. She’d never forget coming here. And never regret a second of it, even as her heart broke into a million pieces when she had to leave Elderflower Island and Malcolm.
Fortunately, they made it to Richmond and to the cottages without any issues on the train line, as Malcolm had warned her there might be.
They both got to work. He pitched in with the painter to finish up the sitting room on the last cottage, while she got dusty cleaning out the last of the cupboards. They were close to being able to decorate the common areas, just as he’d said. She couldn’t wait to see it all come together even more than it already had. This reading retreat was going to be absolutely beautiful.
And the work that Alice had done in the garden while they were gone was incredible as well. She’d done more than just cut back overgrown shrubs and clear away the brush. She’d also planted flowers, bushes, and even a little tree in the corner.
Josie could see it all come to life, and she made herself a promise that, no matter what, she’d come back to Elderflower Island one day and see it when it was full of happy readers and when the garden was lush and blooming. And if Malcolm happened to be married with children, she would be happy for him. Even if on the inside, she would wish that he was with her. That she had been strong enough to let go of her fears of being hurt again so that she could actually give her heart to him.
That stopped her short.
The thought that she might truly regret holding back. Not telling him how she felt. Not even fully admitting it to herself. That maybe staying safe and keeping as many walls around her heart as she could wasn’t the best plan, when she had convinced herself so thoroughly that it was the only plan that made sense.
“Are you ready to head out to get changed for the book signing?” Malcolm said, surprising her.
She almost bonked her head on the shelf she was cleaning, catching herself at the last moment.
“Yes,” she said. “I’m ready.” But she didn’t feel ready. Because it finally occurred to her she was going to meet his whole family. And if they were just friends, that really wouldn’t have been a big deal. But now that there was this part of her that was suddenly longing to be so much more than just friends with benefits, she was constantly going to be wondering, What if? What if their relationship was real? What if his family became hers? But no, she thought with a firm inward shake of her head. That was crazy thinking, given the boundaries they’d both set out and especially when it had been only a matter of days.
As it was just the two of them alone in the cottage, he drew her to him and kissed her until she forgot her spiraling thoughts, her worries, even her fear of letting him get too close. Every time he kissed her, she forgot everything except how much she wanted him. And how much he was coming to mean to her.
And when he drew back and looked into her eyes, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was feeling all the same things.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Josie was glad she’d packed one nice dress. She hadn’t been sure where she’d wear it, but she’d found over the years that it never hurt to bring along some black velvet. The skirt fell to the knee, but with a pair of black tights and ankle boots with small heels, along with sparkly earrings and a necklace and some makeup, she felt like she’d cleaned up pretty well. Then she caught sight of Malcolm as she walked out into the lounge area of the boat.
He took her breath away. He was wearing a suit. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him in one, but this one was slightly darker than he would wear to the office. Closer to black tie.