‘To the estate. We can use the travel time to talk.’
‘But I... When?’
‘This afternoon.’
‘But...’
Swallow, Summer. Breathe.
It’s too soon. I’ve not had enough time to think. To process.
He dips his head, leans that little bit closer, and his cologne reaches me, floods my senses... Why does he have to smell so good too?
‘But what?’
Close your gaping mouth and answer the man.
‘But it’s a couple of hundred miles away.’
‘And? Surely spending the journey with me is not that awful a prospect...’
A shiver runs down my spine as I catch the hint of mockery in his rich, dulcet tones.
‘We used to enjoy one another’s company once, Summer. I’m sure we can at least be civil for that amount of time.’
The blood seeps from my cheeks and I bluster out a laugh. ‘Is that supposed to make the offer more appealing?’
He gives a wry smile.
‘No, I don’t suppose it does. But I’m sure it benefits the planet in some way, us combining our journey. And I know how much you care for that.’
‘Not when there’s a train heading that way and...’
Hang on, my voice trails off as my eyes narrow. My eco-warrior efforts came after Glenrobin...after him...
Has he been reading up on me? Or is it something Katherine said? What does he know? What has he seen? What’s in the public domain? Protest rallies—sure. The odd arrest—maybe.
Oh, God. A certain picture sears my brain and my cheeks are aflame before I can erase it. Please don’t let him have seen that one...
‘Fine,’ I rush out. ‘When do you—we—leave?’
‘I’ll pick you up at two.’
I wet my lips, my voice failing me again.
‘Is that a problem?’ he asks.
No. Yes. No. But it’s only a few hours away from now...
‘Not at all. Two p.m. it is.’
‘Great.’
‘Great.’
Awkward...
‘Is there anything else?’ I say, when he still doesn’t move.