Page 47 of The House Swap

Dark curls fell into his eyes when he leaned forward, and brushing crumbs from his fingers, he reached up in mild irritation to shove them away. And his eyes, earthy green and watchful, were almost golden in the candlelight.

There were moments when his expression sharpened, when his gaze held hers a fraction too long. Not threatening, but intense, and it made her pulse skip.

‘I know there are opportunities for all of that here,’ he said, ‘but it would take time to build the contacts, whereas back home I have already been through that difficult stage and I’m starting to make a name for myself.’

‘It sounds like it makes sense to stay in Devon.’

Jem nodded. ‘That’s kind of where my head is right now. I could keep this as a holiday rental. It’s another option I am looking at. Added income, plus, of course, I have a second home in the sun.’

‘And that way you don’t lose touch with Sue and Ian. They’ll be happy.’

‘They will. That reminds me,’ Jem said, changing the subject. ‘She said something about dinner at theirs on Sunday night, and that you’re going?’

‘Yes, I’m going.’

‘I can come and pick you up.’

It was very kind of him, but Poppy couldn’t expect him to do that, especially when he lived right next door to the Pritchards. ‘You don’t have to go out of your way. I can arrange a cab.’

Jem’s mouth curved into a smile, green eyes settling on her face. ‘I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t want to.’

Her heart bumped a little at his words and she smiled. ‘Okay. Thank you.’

She was having such a lovely evening, it didn’t even occur to her until they were in the car for the drive back that she had forgotten to ask Jem how he had known where Tom’s villa was.

Boosted by his easy-going company, plus the courage of white wine, she posed the question now, as casually as she could.

‘Can I ask you something?’

‘Of course.’

‘The other night, when you drove me and Keira home. You didn’t ask for directions.’

If Jem was offended that she had asked, he didn’t show it, though he did hesitate briefly, his brow creasing slightly as though replaying the memory, before he answered.

‘No, I didn’t,’ he agreed, his tone giving nothing away. ‘Keira told me when you were in the loo. As soon as she said the big villa on the hill, I knew where you were staying. It’s kind of hard to miss.’

Was it really as simple as that?

Keira wasn’t here to ask, but Jem’s answer had sounded sincere, and his explanation rang true too. Although set back from the coastal road, it was visible from a distance, and quite striking.

Relief washed through her, swift and almost embarrassing. ‘That makes sense,’ she agreed. She should never have doubted there would be a rational explanation.

‘I had wondered who lived there,’ Jem continued. ‘Your friend, Tom, is a lucky man.’

He glanced in Poppy’s direction and gave a small smile that had her wondering in what context he meant lucky. She had sensed before that he was wondering what the relationship was between her and Tom.

She tried to brush off his comment, conscious she was out on a date with him.

But you do have feelings for Tom.

The guilty voice surfaced and she quickly pushed it down.

Yes, she did like him, but she was also a free agent. There was no relationship and certainly no guarantee that her friendship with Tom would ever spill over into anything more. She wasn’t betraying anyone by having dinner tonight with an attractive man.

Lost in her thoughts, they rode in silence for the rest of the journey, and Poppy found herself watching the dark countryside pass by; the occasional flicker of light from distant villas and the vast black sweep of sea beyond.

As they approached the road leading up to the villa, she noticed a car parked, partially concealed by trees.