“One brownie coming up. Usual coffee?”
“Please.”
“Anything else you need?”
“As a matter of fact, there is.” He reached out and hauled Posy close, kissing her as if the world was about to end and this was their last goodbye.
It was like watching the closing scene of a romantic movie.
Beth gaped. She was stunned and, yes, maybe a little envious.
She’d thought she knew everything about Posy’s life, but apparently not. This man was clearly more than her sister’s lodger. And now she remembered t
he comment Posy had made in the car. As it happens, I was in bed with a tall, dark, handsome man having the best sex of my life.
Beth had assumed it was a joke.
She glanced around the café, but all she saw was benign smiles.
Beth felt as if she was the only person not in on a secret.
When Luke finally lifted his head, the look he shared with Posy was so personal, so intimate, that Beth felt as if she’d walked into their bedroom.
When had she and Jason last looked at each other like that?
When had they last been spontaneous?
Their lives were scheduled down to the minute, and more often than not, their plans centered around the girls.
Luke finally released Posy, but it was clear to Beth that he only did so because they were in public.
She waited for her sister to introduce them, but Posy was staring dreamily into space.
No need to ask if he was a good kisser, Beth thought, and took the initiative.
“We haven’t met.” She stuck her hand out. “I’m Posy’s sister. The middle, married sister. Beth.” The boring one with a rotting brain. “Good to meet you.”
He shook her hand, his grip firm. “Luke Whittaker. Climber, writer and all-around bad influence. Good to meet you, too.” He turned back to Posy. “I’ll grab a table while one is available because we all know that situation won’t last long.”
Luke Whittaker. Bad influence.
Beth watched as he walked to the table.
Posy tipped fresh coffee beans into the grinder, spilling a fair few. “Oops.”
“Don’t apologize,” Beth said. “If I’d just been kissed like that, my hand wouldn’t be steady, either.”
“Do you mind not staring at my customers?”
“I’m only staring at one customer.” Beth didn’t shift her gaze. “Did he say his name was Luke Whittaker?”
“He did.” Posy cleared up the beans. “You’re still staring, by the way.”
“The name is familiar.”
“He’s written a book and been on TV. He’s Adventure Guy. The one who tells all those stories of survival. You know, your ship goes down in the Atlantic, how do you not get eaten by sharks, that kind of thing. Particularly useful information when you live in the Highlands of Scotland.” Posy knocked a carton of milk off the counter and Beth caught it midair.
“You need to take a breath before you break something.” She watched as he paused on his way to a table and exchanged a few friendly words with Mrs. Chappell, who owned a few holiday cottages in the village. “Adventure Guy. I’ve never watched that show, but...I guess that must be where I heard the name. How long has he been kissing you like that?”