Page 62 of Time To Learn

“Of course. But thanks.”

He tucks some hair behind his ears, never once letting go of myhand.

“Text me tomorrow? Just, you know, to let me know you’refine?”

I shrug.

“I don’t have your mobile number.”

He nods as he smiles atme.

“I know, but…” He stops as he pulls his iPhone out from his jeans pocket. “Give me your number again? I’ll text you instead. That way, you’ll havemine.”

Hesitating, I glance at Trish, unsure if this is a good idea. As her smile grows bigger, I shrug.

What’s theharm?

“Okay, then,” I mutter and glance back at Kristian. Quickly, I rattle off the number and nod as he turns the phone to me, silently asking me to confirm that he got it right.

“Well, then…” I take a step back, laughing nervously as he still doesn’t release my hand. “Goodnight, Kristian.”

He squeezes my hand once, and I look down at my feet, feeling like a shy schoolgirl all of a sudden. It’s completely ridiculous.

Finally, he lets my hand go, and I lift my head as I back away. His eyes are warm and gentle as he bids me goodbye.

“Goodnight, Laura.”

His low, seductive voice does funny things to my insides. I bump into Trish who giggles once as she links her arm withmine.

“Talk to you tomorrow,” Alex rumbles after us. I watch Trish as she turns to smile at him, and I wonder if she’s going to let me in on what’s going on between the two ofthem.

Mind spinning, I take one last look at Kristian as we walk to the car park. His hands are in his pockets, a small smile graces his lips, and as he gives me a chin lift, I take a deep breath.

Looking straight ahead, I murmur, “What a night.”

Trish nudges my shoulder.

“You’ve got that right, sweetie. I think we’re in for quite an interesting time, don’tyou?”

Crap, I hope not. My world is made up of order, routines, and my daughter. A distraction like Kristian is the last thing Ineed.

Good thing we’re only friends.

On the way home to the farm, I can’t switch off my thoughts. They keep running around in circles, taking in the night—our conversations—when I caught him with that barmaid—and they all come back to the same moment. The one that overshadows everythingelse.

The moment when he held me close.

When Trish turns left at the farm, I turn to look ather.

“I think I’m in trouble,” I whisper.

She laughs.

“I think you’re right. But I have a feeling it’s the good kind of trouble.”

I open my mouth only to close it again.

I don’t know. Nothing makes sense.

Nothing.