My stomach tensed and the boat suddenly felt tiny. Was Dan asking me on a date?

‘How can you feel like cooking after all the hard work you’ve done today?’ I asked, delaying a decision.

He shrugged. ‘Cooking helps me unwind, and I also like to eat but rarely get the pleasure of cooking for other people. So, what do you say? Care to join me for a meal?’

‘Um …’ I liked him … as a friend … but wasn’t sure about spending an evening alone with him. I didn’t want to give him the wrong impression. Being near him in a group was one thing, but when we were alone, my body started to get ideas. Ideas I wasn’t sure I could trust. Maybe I was feeling attracted to him simply because he was the first guy that I’d had anything to do with post-Adrian.

My fingers drifted to Charlie’s warm fur for comfort.

‘I have no ulterior motives, if that’s what you’re worried about,’ Dan said, and I wondered if he could read my mind or was simply responding to my hesitation. ‘I’m not trying to get into your pants—although I’m sure the experience would be pleasurable …’ He said it in a way that made my insides tumble. ‘I know you’ve been through a rough trot lately and I’d never take advantage of that. I just thought it would be nice to debrief with someone after today, maybe even start discussing the fundraiser. But if you’d rather eat your beans alone, that’s your prerogative.’

The way he said beans made me smile, and someone else cooking for me sounded much better than whatever I’d make myself.

‘Okay,’ I said, finding the courage deep within. ‘I’ll come. When you put it like that … how can I resist?’

Chapter 39

39

As Payton told me about her day—she and Adrian and an apparently reluctant Saxon had been to the Maritime Museum—I glanced out the window at the sun sinking over the ocean.

‘I’m so glad you had fun, sweetheart … but I’m going to have to go.’

‘Go? Where?’

I could just visualise the confusion on her face—my kids were not used to me having a life outside of them. I was not used to having a life outside of them.

‘Um …’ I couldn’t bring myself to admit I’d be spending the evening alone with a man. ‘I’m just going to a friend’s for dinner.’

‘Oh, okay.’ Thankfully, Payton didn’t question which friend. Although I wouldn’t mind Adrian knowing about my evening plans, I didn’t want to confuse or upset her any more than she’d already been by our separation. ‘I miss you, Mum.’