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“Well,” she said on a breathy sigh, “if that’s the case.”
We finally made it out over an hour and a half later.
I squeezed Maya’s hand as we walked across the car park of the pub. “Apparently the food here is amazing.”
“It looks a nice place.” The Devonshire was an old farmhouse that had been converted to a pub with a load of money spent on it and the grounds, and it was where we were meeting Sam and Louise for lunch. “I bet it’s lovely in the summer.”
“We’ll have to try it,” I said, lifting her hand to kiss her knuckles. “I can see us sitting out here on long sunny afternoons.”
“Sounds perfect.”
It did, and I was sure that it would happen, now that we’d hadtheconversation. I wished I hadn’t been so scared to do it before, but at least both our feelings were now out in the open. We could see a future with each other, and for once, I liked the idea of being with one woman for the rest of my life. With her.
“Sam and Louise said they’d meet us inside,” I told her.
Maya blew out a breath and gave me a tentative smile. “I hope they like me.”
“Of course they will.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her closer. “What’s not to like?”
Laughing together, we walked inside, and I immediately spotted my friends sitting by the open fire. Giving Maya another comforting squeeze, we walked over to them. Louise grinned from ear to ear, and Sam looked at me like a proud father.
“Hey.” I gave them a chin lift and they both got out of their chairs.
“Maya, hi, I’m Louise.” Before Maya had chance to respond, she was taken out of my arms. “It’s so good to meet you.”
Sam raised an eyebrow behind Lou’s back and gave me a thumbs up. I clearly had his seal of approval for my girlfriend. After a little more hugging, Maya was finally let go and Sam took his turn. He didn’t keep hold of her for as long as Louise had, but I did wonder if maybe she’d stopped breathing at one point.
“So lovely to meet you both,” Maya was finally able to say as we all sat down.
“Same. We’ve heard a lot about you.” Louise grinned at me, causing me to roll my eyes.
I took Maya’s Puffa jacket and hung it with mine on a coat stand near to the table. She was wearing tight jeans with a long sleeve t-shirt, and she looked beautiful, her hair cascading down over her shoulders.
“The fire is gorgeous,” she said, glancing over at the flames. I took her hand and pulled into my lap. She was obviously nervous but had no need to be.
“Being a woman of a certain age, I’m not sure whether it’s a good spot or not,” Louise said, fanning herself.
“What she means is she’s forty-two and menopausal,” Sam quipped, earning himself a glacial stare from his wife.
“You are asking for trouble, mate,” I told him.
“He’s asking for a considerable ban on sex, that’s what he’s asking for.” Louise smiled at him with dead eyes. “Maybe you could go and get us some drinks. I’m ready for another. And take Will with you.”
I grinned because she still had half a glass of wine, so she either wanted to get rid of Sam because he was pissing her off, or me because she wanted to find out the gossip from Maya. More likely, a mixture of both. I was happy to leave them to, it whatever the reason.
I stood and patted Sam’s shoulder. “Looks like we’ve got our orders, come on. Wine, rum or beer, gorgeous?”
“Beer, please,” Sam replied, and I rolled my eyes.
“I said gorgeous, not gormless.”
Maya giggled and then said, “I’ll have a beer too, please.”
Dropping a kiss to her head, I went with Sam to the bar, hearing a gushing aww from Louise as we left.
“She seems lovely.” Sam nudged me. “But you’re definitely punching, mate.”
I was totally aware of that. “That’s two of us then.”
