Italian Escape with the CEO

For a moment a look of hurt flashed across Bea’s face As if he too saw it, he said hurriedly, ‘But definitely another time.’

‘Definitely,’ Ava added. ‘And it’s been so lovely to meet you. I truly appreciate how welcoming you’ve been.’

Final goodbyes said, she followed Liam back to the car, climbed in and buckled up. ‘We could have stayed for dinner if you wanted. I like them.’

‘Yes. I could tell.’

Ava frowned, saw the closed expression on his face, sensed a taut undercurrent of emotion, saw the way his hands gripped the steering wheel.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing.’ He turned the key in the ignition and put the car into gear, each movement contained and yet she sensed that he wanted to crash and grind through the gears and accelerate away. Liam shook his head. ‘There is just no point in them getting to know you too well—we’re going to split up in a few months.’

For some inexplicable reason the words made her stomach dip, presumably at the idea of the media coverage of their split, the knowledge that they would have to manage it to minimise suspicion or negativity. ‘Yes, but—’

‘There aren’t any buts. It’s better to quit whilst we’re ahead. We convinced them we’re legit. Mission accomplished.’

For a moment Ava was tempted to let it go—then she looked at him again, saw the shadow in his eyes and knew she couldn’t do that. Perhaps it wasn’t her business but she’d liked Bea. And John and Max. And it seemed all wrong that Liam didn’t feel close to them. Didn’t spend Christmas with them.

‘Could we stop somewhere before you drop me back home? Maybe go for a walk?’

The glance he gave her held a wealth of suspicion and for a moment she wondered if he would refuse, simply press his foot on the accelerator, turn the music on loud and complete their journey. ‘We need to discuss our plan for the next few days.’

‘Sure. There’s a large National Trust park nearby. We can head there.’

* * *

Twenty minutes later Liam surveyed Ava as they walked along a pretty tree-lined path; evergreens dense and green edged a garden that still bloomed with colour despite the winter month. She’d pulled on a navy-blue duffel coat and her cheeks were tinged pink from the breeze.

She glanced sideways at him and he recognised this as an unconscious indicator of a preliminary skirmish. ‘The planning that must go into these gardens so they look beautiful all year boggles the mind.’ Her tone was innocent.

‘Yes,’ Liam agreed. Where was she going with this?

‘Do you garden at all?’

‘Nope.’

‘I think your mum and John do, though. I spotted their back garden and it’s full of flowers and pots.’

‘Yes.’ He’d wondered if Ava had really brought him here to plan the next few days or to discuss their visit and now it seemed he’d been right to suspect the latter. ‘But we aren’t here to talk about gardening,’ he said firmly. ‘We need to think about our next steps.’

‘Yes.’ Now her chin jutted out determinedly. ‘Which includes talking about family.’

‘No need. We met my mum and her family and that box is ticked.’

‘No, it isn’t. What are you going to do if your mum follows up and asks us round for dinner?’

Liam sighed. ‘Put her off? We can always be busy and I don’t think she will ask again.’

‘But that will hurt their feelings.’

‘Perhaps. But that’s better than her getting close to you and then we spilt up.’

Contrition touched her amber eyes and she reached out, placed a hand on his arm. ‘I am so sorry. Your mum must have been devastated when Jess died—of course, you are trying to protect her.’

Liam blinked, saw

the compassion etched on her face and knew he couldn’t let her believe that.