Page 60 of The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop

‘Nate?’ She caught up with him down by the harbour wall.

They instinctively walked away from the road that led to The Fisherman’s and diverted along by the harbour where it was quieter.

‘About Saturday night …’ Em paused. She really didn’t want to have to say the word ‘kiss’.

Nate stopped and looked up at her. Oh my, there were still so many shades of Luke there in his eyes, across his face. ‘I know,’ he started.

Emma realised she was holding her breath.

‘Look,’ Nate continued, ‘I’m sorry, it shouldn’t have happened.’

Phew, at least they were on the same wavelength.

‘I know, I feel so awful, like I’ve let everybody down,’ Em tried to explain. ‘Luke, Max, your parents, even you. I shouldn’t have let you believe there was more to it than there was. I think I was feeling a bit emotional, you know.’

‘No worries, honestly Em. I’ve been feeling rotten about this too. What the hell was I thinking? Don’t take that the wrong way – you’re lovely, really lovely. But you were always, will always, be Luke’s. I had no right. Dammit, I have so messed up.’

‘It is pretty messed up, isn’t it?’

Nate just nodded, Em wasn’t sure what was going on in his head, but he looked like he was really blaming himself.

‘Nate, can we just keep this between ourselves?’

‘Of course. My lips are sealed.’

Both of them had got caught up in a crazy, stupid moment. That was all.

‘Thank you. Well, I’d better get back,’ Emma had plenty to do in the shop, and she didn’t want to drag this out any further. The last thing she needed was someone overhearing or seeing them together like this. Sheila might well be peering out of the grocer’s window as it was.

‘Yeah, me too. I’m on shift soon. Don’t worry, Em. No one will hear anything from me. We’re all good.’

‘Thanks.’

That they’d had this conversation was a relief – but it still didn’t change what had happened. And Emma knew she had done wrong by Max, and that felt horrid. But no one could change the past; all she could do was be the best person she could be in the future.

Normally Emma would be really excited about seeing Max, but guilt and worry were doing terrible things to her insides and so, the drive down to Hexham that evening was a little stomach-churning. How would she be when she saw him? Could she act the same as normal? She’d never been any good at lying. James would come up with all sorts as a kid, and get away with stuff, yet her mum would just see right through Emma. Normally that wouldn’t be such a bad trait; honesty. But this evening she could really do with a good poker face.

She parked outside Max’s end cottage in Whitstone village just outside of Hexham. Alfie was with her too, nestled happily in the back of the car. He was always pleased to go wherever Emma went. He barked as they came to a halt. Max’s Jeep was parked outside, so he was home.

She didn’t need to knock on the door. As she walked up the front path, Max was already there with it wide open and a smile on his face.

‘Hey, beautiful.’

‘Hi, gorgeous.’ Their usual waking-up together phrases flowed easily, but it also made Emma feel so very sad. How could she have ever thought of risking this? Her first real chance of love in the eight years since Luke’s death … argh.

She let herself melt into his arms and breathed in the comforting, sensual aftershave smell of him.

‘God, I missed you.’ He sounded so honest.

‘Missed you too.’

‘Hey, Alf.’ The spaniel had followed Emma in and was now receiving a warm pat from Max.

Max closed the door on the outside world and took Emma back into his arms, his kiss tender at first, then firmer, passionate, stirring sensual thoughts and sensations all the way through her. This felt so very right … and yet had she trashed everything in that one crazy moment?

As the kiss eased off, Em realised tears were forming in her eyes. Oh my, she couldn’t be seen to cry now, or there’d be some explaining to do. She moved in for a big hug, her head bowed. She took some deep breaths as she leant against Max’s broad chest, composing herself.

‘Well then …’ After a short while, Max shifted back and started chatting. ‘I’ve been home for an hour, so I thought the least I could do was prepare us some supper. There might be a little something for Alfie too. I had thought of a takeaway, but reckoned you’d prefer something home-cooked. Mind you, I warn you now, the takeaway option may have been the safer bet.’ He grinned.