Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 82868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“Thanks.” He doesn’t seem enthusiastic. And then he breaks out into a smile so wide it makes me ache. “Your snacks are good.”
“You think?” I grin. “I love to cook.”
Our eyes meet and it’s like a physical touch, sparking the same electricity I felt the previous times he’s touched me.
He clears his throat and looks back down at his plate, like he feels it too and is just as confused.
He finishes his meal, and there’s not a morsel of food left on the plate.
“You want some more? I have plenty of—”
He shakes his head and I stop. “The only thing that could have made that better would have been a glass of red wine,” he says. He nods at the heather-filled cup. “We even had table decorations.”
I feel a bit stupid, but I like people to enjoy eating my food. “A glass of wine would have been—maybe not such a good idea.” I wouldn’t trust myself a glass of wine down in front of Zach. I’ve already told him he’s good looking and I’m completely sober. Lubricated by alcohol, there’s no telling what I might do or say. I’d probably lick that completely lickable neck. Or tell him I think he might be the best-looking man I’ve ever laid eyes on. I dodged that bullet. Thank God tomorrow, I’m on the ferry out of here.
“There’s something I have to tell you,” he says and I put down my knife and fork.
I knew it. He’s terminating my contract. My horrendous journey up here has been for nothing. I take a steadying breath, ready to accept my fate. “Don’t worry, I know what you’re going to say.”
“You do?” he asks with a frown. “So you knew you were looking at the summer timetable?”
He’s making no sense. “What?”
“You know there are only three ferries a week to Rum from Mallaig?”
A ball of fire ignites in my stomach and I have to stand. “What? But there’s a ferry tomorrow, right?”
“No, not until Sunday. Depending on the weather.”
The fire fizzles out and I slump into my chair, putting my head in my hands. “I’m so sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing. I’m so fucking desperate not to get fired—I wanted you to think I was terrific at my job. I’m such an idiot.” It’s not just the ferry that’s completely humiliating. It’s the feeling that I can’t ever get any traction on my life after Shane. He’s moved on, and nothing much will have changed for him, other than he’s fucking a different woman. No doubt she’s probably already moved into his house. But for me, my life still lies in ruins. And whenever I try to rebuild my foundations, they dissolve or decay as soon as I turn around.
I need to catch a break.
“Shit, Ellie.” The scrape of Zach’s chair stops my tears from falling. I can’t take any more humiliations today. He won’t see his assistant cry.
“I’m fine.” I look up to find him standing over me, clearly not having a clue what to do. I want to run away or at least go into another room, but the cottage is tiny and it’s not like I even have a bedroom I can run to. “I’m completely fine. I’m sorry, I’m going to have to stay another night and then I’ll be out of your hair. I promise I won’t impose on you any more than I have to.” I stand, trying to show that I am fine, but he doesn’t move. Instead he bends, trying to catch my eye.
He puts his hand on my shoulder and the electricity is back, but this time he doesn’t flinch away. “It’s okay, Ellie. It’s amazing you brought me the letter. The package. I’m really grateful and it’s made a tremendous difference to how much I can get done over the next few days. You being here isn’t a problem. For me anyway.”
I don’t know if it’s his touch, the tone of his voice, or that I’m breathing in his scent of pine trees and campfires, but my body begins to melt. “I’ll cook for you.” My voice is weak.
“You don’t need to.” He smooths his hand down my arm, setting off a crackle of sparks across my skin. “But I’ll eat it if you do.” He laughs and it’s the most genuine, warm, comforting sound I’ve ever heard. I can’t help smiling up at him.
We stare at each other a beat too long, our smiles mirroring each other, and then he looks away.
“I should organize sleeping arrangements. I have to work in the bedroom tomorrow. That’s where my desk is. But tonight I’ll take the sofa and—”
“No,” I say. “Absolutely not. I’m completely fine on the sofa. There’s no way I’m going to come up here, have to stay because I can’t read a ferry timetable, and then kick you out of your bed. Not ever going to happen.”