She sent it before she could change her mind and then waited a few breathless seconds before the reply came.

Sorry, but who is this?

She froze, and then another message came immediately.

Just kidding. Tomorrow works. 6:30 a.m.?

She felt a rush of relief and elation, and also a flicker of frustration with herself. She was so jumpy and on edge the whole time she no longer recognized a joke when she saw one.

But it was done now. She was going to leave Forest Nest for the first time since she’d arrived. And she was going to have to hope it didn’t go horribly wrong.

Chapter 18Milly

Milly stepped out of Brendan’s sports car and grabbed the skirt of her dress before the breeze could catch it and expose the underwear Nicole had insisted that she wear. (Why? There was no way she was ready to show another person her underwear.) It had been years since she’d worn this dress, and she’d forgotten how flimsy it was. Still, it had given her a quiet confidence boost, and she was grateful to Nicole for insisting she try it on. Less grateful for her friend’s insistence that she wear the shoes.

All she’d done so far was walk to the car, but already they were biting into her feet. What had possessed her to buy them in the first place? They’d been purchased for a wedding, and she recalled dancing barefoot at that same wedding, which presumably meant she’d found them unwearable after the first few hours.

She silently cursed Nicole as she walked with Brendan to the restaurant, trying not to twist her ankle. She wore flats or trainers when she was working and walking in heels felt strange and unsafe. If this was what Nicole had to endure each time she appeared on a red carpet, then she felt sorry for her.

Fortunately, she made it inside without drama or mishap, and they were shown to a table on the terrace. It had an uninterrupted view of the lake and beyond to the craggy fells in the distance.

And when she glanced around her at the other diners, she was glad Nicole had made her wear the dress. It had been the right choice.

And Brendan looked good too, although it crossed her very undisciplined mind that he’d looked equally good fresh out of the shower, wearing just shorts.

Tonight he was wearing a pair of chinos and a pale blue shirt the same shade as his eyes. Of course, deciding what to wear was easier for men, particularly when it came to shoes.

She was willing to bet his footwear wasn’t testing the level of his pain threshold.

She was looking forward to sitting down so that she could give her feet a break.