Page 108 of The Summer That Changed Us

‘Oh Ned.’ Her eyes filled with tears. ‘Thank you for telling me, I … I don’t know what to say, I had no idea you felt that way.’

He took a tiny step closer to her and reached for her hands, winding his fingers through hers.

‘Grace, I still feel that way.’

A tiny pulse throbbed at her throat. She gazed at his handsome face, the kindness in his eyes, the unspoken question on his lips and her chest felt so tight with anticipation that she could barely breathe. ‘Do you?’

‘And I’m wondering if … ’ His voice trailed off and he swallowed. ‘Maybe in time, I might still have a chance?’

She gave a tiny gasp. ‘Maybe.’

Slowly he lowered his head towards her and kissed her tenderly. The sensation of his lips against hers was exquisite and a million sparks lit her up from inside. His kiss spoke of possibilities and of a future she hadn’t even dared to consider.

‘That’s good enough for me.’ He smiled, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

Her voice trembled. ‘We’d better go.’

Because if they didn’t leave now, there was every chance they wouldn’t make it out of the door at all.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Katie glanced down at her cleavage for possibly the tenth time. Her stomach hadn’t stopped churning since about five o’clock this morning. It had taken all her courage and half a glass of wine to leave Mermaid Cottage in her form-fitting, off the shoulder evening dress. But now, sitting beside Barney in the passenger seat, she was very aware of the amount of skin on show. It was a lovely dress: sapphire-blue satin cut on the bias which shimmered when she walked, but it was a shock to the system not to be hiding her chest underneath baggy layers.

‘Dad spent half an hour hoovering out the car, before picking you up,’ Amber piped up from the back seat as they approached the hotel.

‘That’s because someone who shall remain nameless can’t seem to find her mouth when she eats crisps,’ he replied.

‘I’m honoured,’ said Katie, resisting the urge to cover her chest with her arm every time Barney looked her way. ‘And I really appreciate the lift. It’s very kind of you to offer not to drink so you can drive us.’

The North East Gazette Business Awards were being held in the ballroom of the Clifftop Hotel, a half-hour’s drive from Merle Bay. Barney had insisted on picking her up after hearing that Nula and her husband had booked themselves into the hotel to make a night of it.

‘Habit,’ he said with a grin. ‘Sophia was a party animal, so I was always the one to drive.’

‘Give Mum two glasses of rosé and a karaoke machine and we all had to take cover.’

Barney laughed softly. ‘Don’t remind me.’

Katie’s heart squeezed; the way Barney and Amber were able to drop her name into conversation without it being a taboo topic was amazing. They even managed to do so without making her feel awkward.

‘What about you, Katie?’ Barney slid a sideways glance at her.

‘Yeah,’ Amber pushed herself forward in her seat, so that she was almost between them. ‘What are you like at parties?’

Katie shuddered. ‘I don’t like being the centre of attention and I prefer a small gathering to a large one. But I won’t say no to a gin and tonic.’

‘I noticed,’ Barney teased. ‘Especially when it comes in a tin.’

They shared a smile, remembering their fish-and-chip supper. Was it too sentimental to be thinking of it as their first date, Katie wondered. And would this be their second? Of course not, that had been business, and so was this, she reminded herself. Not to mention that his daughter was very much present.

‘I’ve never tried gin,’ said Amber slyly.

‘And you won’t be trying it tonight either,’ he replied smartly, much to her disgust.

They pulled into the car park and Barney drove around while they all looked for a space.

Amber sucked in her breath. ‘Don’t know how to break this to you, Katie, but it doesn’t look like this is going to be a small gathering to me.’

‘And I daren’t even have any alcohol just in case I end up winning and have to make a speech, not that there’s much chance of that.’