Page 63 of The Best Thing He Never Wanted

While she unpacked the groceries in the kitchen, he opened the wine and poured her a glass.

“Aren’t you going to have one?”

Something in his expression changed, but all he said was, “Maybe when we eat.”

“I take it that was a hint. You want to eat now?”

He opened the takeout boxes they’d picked up from the taverna next to the supermarket. “Yeah. Guess I don’t do subtle. You got plates for these?”

Soon they were sitting out on the terrace. Bea had ordered a little of everything in the hope that Blane would find something he enjoyed. He was poking at the moussaka while she filled a bowl with salad.

“Those meatballs look good.”

“I love them. They’re lamb.” She pointed. “And the souvlaki are chicken.”

“The who?”

She laughed. “Those things. The skewers.”

His brows drew together. “Then why not just call them skewers?”

She slapped his arm. “Because these are Greek skewers, and their name is souvlaki. That’s why. They don’t speak American either.”

He let out a short laugh. “Fair enough. Wouldn’t want to be one of those foreigners, would I?”

“Exactly.”

They ate mostly in silence, taking in the view and, in Bea’s case at least, enjoying the food. When she glanced over at him, Blane seemed to be enjoying it too.

He caught her gaze and nodded. “This is damn good. I don’t know about insane, I’d say it was pretty smart to move somewhere you can eat like this and get away from all that bad British food.”

“Blane.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “I’m allowed to have an opinion.”

“You most certainly are. And I think I only mind so much because you’re probably right.”

“Don’t want to push the point, but it’s one of the things you Brits are known for.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Bad food? Really?”

He chuckled. “Yeah. You guys are notorious for it.”

“Oh, I had no idea.”

He caught hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Probably because most people don’t push the point. Apart from the food, you guys are all right.”

That made her laugh. “Well, thank you. Now I feel special.”

His expression changed. He leaned back in his chair and reached across to touch her cheek. “I’m only teasing, Bea. You are special. To me. Hope you know that.”

She covered his hand with her own. “It seems strange to say it after such a short time, but I do know it.” She held his gaze. “And you’re special to me too, Blane.”

Something in his expression shifted.

“Four days ago, I didn’t even know you existed,” she said softly. “And somehow that doesn’t seem to matter.”

They sat there for a long moment, looking at each other. Then he pulled his hand away, cleared his throat, and pushed his chair back. When he stood, he took his phone out of his pocket. “I should get going.”