“That’s why you don’t work at the hotel any more?”
“Yes.” Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of scarlet. “Working together was difficult after we broke up.”
“I can imagine.” He took a deep breath and stepped into the driver’s seat of the train. “I’m heading home if you need a lift somewhere?”
“No. I’m fine, thank you. I’m meeting a friend for a drink in the pub.”
“Have a good night.” He flashed her a smile and started the train, keen to avoid giving her a chance to ask him out. She seemed sweet, if slightly awkward. If it weren’t for Seren he’d probably have been quite happy to go on a few dates with her and see what happened. It was bad timing though. Before he turned the corner, he glanced in the rear-view mirror.
Maybe it was actually perfect timing. Going on a few dates could be just the distraction he needed. It would also be a good way to get his brothers to accept he was fine and stop checking up on him. There was a possibility it would also ease the awkwardness with Seren. He could laugh off his declaration of love as a crush and get back to being friends with her. Not that he was sure he could cope with being friends with Seren.
With a quick shake of his head, he concentrated on the road again. Dating anyone now would be unfair to them and would only cause more complications in his life.
He definitely didn’t need that.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
When Keira came into the pub on Thursday, jabbering away about her new job, Seren schooled her features to an acceptable amount of enthusiasm. It wasn’t easy with Keira cooing about how great Kit was and how excited she was about working with him.
To be fair, Keirashouldbe excited – Kitwasgreat, and working with himwouldbe fantastic. Seren felt sick with jealousy that Keira had been spending time with Kit. And would continue to do so.
On Friday, she managed to convince herself that the only reason she couldn’t stop thinking about Kit was because she never saw him any more. Just because they couldn’t be in a relationship didn’t mean they could never see each other.
She told Charlie she needed to leave work early and set off to catch Kit before he went home for the day. At Porthcressa Beach, gusts of wind lifted the top layer of sand, sending it swirling along before setting it down again. The warm air tasted of salt and seaweed as Seren marched along determinedly. Spotting the train at the end of the promenade, she picked up her pace but was intercepted by someone calling out to her before she got near the train.
She turned to see Felix and Cadan sitting outside a cafe, both with their legs stretched out in front of them.
“Hi.” She flashed a smile but had no intention of stopping.
“We were about to come and look for you in the pub,” Cadan called out.
“I’m not there, so you don’t need to bother.”
“Wait up …” Felix chased after her and she sighed in annoyance. “Did you get my message the other day?”
“Yep. I got it and I ignored it.” He’d asked her out for a drink and the only emotion she could muster was annoyance at Cadan for giving Felix her number.
“I only wanted to catch up with you properly.”
Up ahead, Seren could see Kit by the train. Around his legs were a gaggle of children of varying sizes, all of them looking up in wonder as Kit expertly twisted a long blue balloon into the shape of a sword. He tapped a blonde-haired girl on the head with it before handing it to her and getting to work on the next creation.
Wearily, she flicked her eyes to Felix. “What makes you think I’d want to catch up with you?”
“Just let me take you out on one date …”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s never going to happen so you can stop wasting your breath.”
“Come on.” He stepped into her personal space and lowered his head to her. “I apologised.”
She took a step back. “I’ve never heard the word sorry cross your lips. I suspect it’s not in your vocabulary.”
“I thought writing it in a note would be more romantic.”
“A note?” She couldn’t help but laugh. “You scrawled one word on a napkin. It was hardly a heartfelt letter.”
Stepping closer again, he rested a hand on her hip and tilted his head. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“What exactly are you sorry for?” She peeled his fingers from her hip, but he seemed to take it as an invitation to hold her hand.