“You have to leave. Don’t worry, I understand.”
“But please, stay and enjoy your lunch. You won’t get a table for the foreseeable in this place. I’d advise you to eat here while you can.” Juliet slipped cash onto the table, resting a side plate over it. “I’ll be in touch, okay?”
Eva nodded, offering a smile. “Sure. Don’t work too hard.”
As Eva watched Juliet leave, the bustle of the café drowning out her own thoughts, she rested back into her seat and exhaled a breath. “Why do people keep running out on me lately?”
While Eva—Hannah—would rather spend her Saturday afternoon enjoying lunch, she would have much preferred some company too. And even though Juliet was only a client, they did get on well. At least, she thought so when they spent more than ten minutes with one another. Juliet wasn’t looking for anyone serious in her life; company was all she needed. Someone to share a few minutes with in between the never-ending work calls. But as usual, Juliet had been called away.
Hannah set the menu down, smiling as a server came towards her. She placed an order for a sharing platter. It didn’t matter that she was eating alone, and this way, she could try smaller portions of several things on the menu. She never could make up her mind when faced with food.
And then she relaxed into her seat, scanning the huge café. Friends shared a bottle of wine with each other, couples tried different foods from one another’s plates, and Hannah…well, it just made her miserable. Maybe she could get in touch with a few of the girls she used to meet up with. A couple from school, the ones she used to work with, just anyone, really. At thirty-four, her entire life revolved around her daughter. She wouldn’t change that, not in a million years, but adult company when her daughter was at her dad’s for the weekend would be wonderful.
Hannah’s eyes landed on a particular table. Three women spoke animatedly, laughing with one another as they clinked their wine glasses. She recognised the woman with her back to her instantly. Hannah would know those shapely legs anywhere. She stared harder, willing the woman to turn around, but instead…her friend raised an eyebrow in Hannah’s direction.
She smiled and lowered her eyes, forcing herself to sit upright and mind her own business. She knew it was Caroline. She felt her in the room full of people. And if she focused hard enough on the different scents around her, Hannah knew it was Caroline’s perfume she could smell. The very same one that had enticed her last night. She’d been stupid to ask Caroline if she wanted to leave the club, but Hannah was certain she wasn’t the only one who felt the connection between them. Hannahneverfelt that spark. The rush of blood to the head and…other places. It was rare that she felt butterflies in the company of anyone else. But Caroline had given her all that and more.
Hannah lifted her head ever so slightly, her heart slamming against her ribcage when Caroline turned in her seat and stared directly at her. She wore her hair up today, exposing a beautiful neck. Her casual choice of clothing didn’t do anything to put Hannah off, a sheer grey blouse exposing what lay beneath. She considered turning away, but Hannah instead offered a smile, surprised when Caroline got to her feet and made her way over to her table.
“Hi,” Caroline said, a slight blush on her cheeks. “Meeting friends?”
“Oh, no. Here alone. Well, I wasn’t…but I am now.”
Caroline chewed her lip, shoving her hands in the pockets of her form-fitting black jeans. She looked just as good dressed down as she did dressed up. “Did you want to join us?”
“No, thank you. That’s a lovely offer, but you know.” Hannah lifted a shoulder, picking up the menu again and praying the server didn’t bring her food while Caroline was standing close by. “Just a quick lunch, and then I have to get going.”
“Right, well…it was nice to see you again.” Caroline hesitated as she turned to walk away, her step faltering as she hovered between Hannah’s table and her own. And then Caroline turned back. “About last night…”
Hannah held up a hand. She didn’t want Caroline to apologise for asking to spend the night with her. Because if Hannah could have things her own way, she would have been waking up with Caroline this morning. But something had held her back. Whether it was the conflicted feelings she had, the thought of Caroline paying her for sex, or something else entirely, Hannah…as Eva…couldn’t go through with it. “You really don’t have to say anything. We both got a little carried away. I’m sorry if it ruined your experience with me.”
“I just wanted to thank you again,” Caroline said, shifting slightly nearer and lowering her voice. “You really helped me to get a little confidence back. It means more than you’ll ever know.”
The crack in Caroline’s voice didn’t go unnoticed by Hannah, her heart soaring as Caroline looked at her with genuine admiration in her eyes.
“You’re welcome.”
Caroline threw a thumb over her shoulder. “I should get back to my table. But if you ever want to join me here, you’re more than welcome to. My sister, Joy, owns this place, so we’re around a lot.”
“It’s a great place.”
“I’ll see you.” Caroline turned and moved towards her own table, her shoulders slightly slumped.
But Hannah found herself not wanting to cut a conversation with this woman any time soon. She had a wonderful presence about her. “Hey, Caz.”
Caroline turned, wearing a sweet smile.
“You look gorgeous.”
Chapter4
Caroline opened the front door,stepping aside to let Gail through. She hadn’t expected a midweek catch-up with her best friend, Gail had her own family to take care of, but did she appreciate it? More so than ever before.
“Now, I know you don’t drink through the week, but I brought a bottle in case.”
Caroline could indulge once in a while. Tonight was the perfect night to do so. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to say to Gail; she just knew she couldn’t spend time in her own head any longer. It had been four days since she’d bumped into Hannah at Joy’s cafe, yet processing her night out with Eva was proving harder than Caroline thought it would. Really, considering her lack of interest in dating over the last couple of years, she shouldn’t feel so up in the air with this. Caroline should have been able to move past it all days ago.
She followed Gail through into the back living room, offering a nod when Gail held up the bottle of wine. “Go on. Just a small one.” Caroline sunk down into the couch, sighing. “You didn’t tell Joy you were coming over, did you?”