Page 36 of Not So Very Sensible

For how could he make promises to someone he didn’t want a future with? He sighed. “Good night.”

“Good night, Ethan,” she crooned. “Sweet dreams.”

“You too,” he said, without thinking, then winced as he realised how that might be construed. Before he could overthink a second longer, he ended the call.

Why did dealing with Lucinda always leave him feeling like he was tiptoeing carefully to avoid land mines? And this, when he’d known the woman for more than thirty years? What a contrast to that sense of ease he’d experienced with Ellie, when he’d known her less than six hours.

He escaped his clothes, showered, and climbed into bed. He closed his eyes but could only remember what had happened earlier. When he and Ellie had been talking. When he’d felt that sense of deep connection, like part of his soul had curved to fit with hers. Then when he’d leaned in, and she had too. Had that been his imagination? No, she must’ve wanted to kiss him. Must’ve known what he’d wanted to do.

Then his foiled attempt to do exactly that. And her near-instant embarrassment when she realised what had happened.

His heart hungered for a redo. For a second chance to complete what he could only do in his dreams. Maybe he could find her tomorrow morning and make sure she knew how he felt. Actually, he would make sure she knew how he felt. What was the worst that could happen? He might feel like a fool if she didn’t return his feelings? He’d been a fool more than once before, so that was nothing new.

“Hey, God,” he prayed in the dark, the darkness broken only by a tiny red light on the TV. “You know what’s going on with me and Ellie. If it’s meant to be, can You please make a way?”

Then he closed his eyes and felt peace fall upon him as he dreamed about finishing that kiss.

Chapter 7

Snoring woke her. It took a second to realise where they were and what had happened, then another to realise that if they didn’t get a wriggle on, they were about to miss breakfast.

“Hey, sleepyhead. Wake up. It’s breakfast time.” She gently shook Katie’s arm.

“Go ‘way.” Katie rolled to face the other side.

“Hey, you’ll miss out if you don’t get changed now.”

“Don’t care. Not hungry.”

“Come on. It’s our last chance. Then we check out, remember?”

“I’m tired. You go. I’ll stay here.”

Ellie studied her. Ever since they’d returned last night, Katie had been very standoffish, to the extent that Ellie had started to wonder if Katie would even be here when she woke up in the morning. She’d never seen Katie like this before, no reasoning with her. Which was in itself concerning. How could a man get between them so quickly?

And if she went to breakfast by herself, could she rely on Katie to be here when she returned? She shook her head at herself. That was silly talk. And today being the last day, it would be a shame if she didn’t enjoy one last buffet breakfast.

“Look, I’m going to get up and eat something. Would you like me to bring you something back?”

“I don’t care. You do whatever you think is best. You always do.”

Ouch. She slipped from her bed and quickly got changed. Breakfast would be served for another fifteen minutes, and they still had another hour or so as part of their late checkout, so she could have a shower and pack when she returned.

She slipped into jeans and a shirt and striped cardigan, flicked a brush through her hair once, then shoved on sneakers. “I’ll be back soon, okay?”

No response. Okay.

She slipped a room key card into her back pocket and hurried to the restaurant area where the breakfast buffet was served. After giving her name and room number, she found a small table for two near the door, as—of course—all the window seats with the amazing view were taken.

She glanced around. Was Ethan here? She had so much to apologise for, not least of which was her sister’s foolishness, which had frozen her in embarrassment and stopped her from saying all the things she should’ve said.

Like the fact that Ethan was the first man she’d come across who she’d felt instantly connected with.

Like the fact she appreciated his patience with her.

Like the fact she’d love to meet up again one day soon.

But—another glance around confirmed what the first had—it didn’t seem like he was here. Her heart sank. See? This was what happened when a girl had more sense than was good for her. She didn’t know how to let a man know she actually was interested in him.