It had only been Jack since their marriage. And before that, a few college fumbles, and quick sex with forgettable men. She pushed a hand through her hair in frustration. What was she trying to prove? That she was still attractive? No, she was glad she’d not stayed. But that innocent meeting, that feeling that she was still desirable, still fanciable, had made her feel good about herself. That she should need such validation from a stranger worried her, then she brushed that aside. Sometimes she was guilty of overthinking. It had been a moment; no harm had been done and it had made her feel good. And that was all that mattered.

7

Molly stood at the restaurant door and looked around. Tristan was sitting alone. He didn’t look too pleased. Feeling sorry for the man, she crossed the room to his table.

‘Good morning, do you mind if I join you?’

Tristan half stood before flopping back into his chair. ‘I’d like nothing better.’

‘What happened to your golfing buddies?’

‘Early birds,’ he said with a shrug. ‘They had breakfast at seven thirty and headed straight out.’ He smiled. ‘I’m a keen golfer but not that keen. I thought I’d have a leisurely breakfast with Amelia and head out later.’ He jerked his head to the ceiling. ‘She decided to have breakfast in bed.’

Molly picked up the menu and glanced at the choices, but her appetite appeared to have deserted her. ‘Coffee and toast, please,’ she said when the waiter came to take her order.

‘You should have more,’ Tristan said, cutting through a fat sausage. ‘You’re not on a diet, are you?’

‘No, but I don’t feel too hungry this morning.’ She looked across the table to where his belly stretched his polo T-shirt, unable to take her eyes off it as her mind slipped unconsciously to the young man by the canal. His leather jacket had hung open, his T-shirt taut across a muscled torso.

A flush of heat rose to colour her cheeks, she fanned herself with the menu, eyes darting to the doorway. She’d ask the waiter to open it when he came.

Luckily, Tristan didn’t appear to notice. He sat back with his three chins resting on his chest and made no effort to engage her in conversation. ‘You don’t regret leaving the hotel business?’ she asked, knowing it was something he liked to talk about.

It was the perfect topic and gave Tristan the opportunity to expound on what he had done since he’d resigned, and all Molly had to do was nod and smile. Meanwhile, her thoughts were elsewhere, a smile lurking in her eyes as Tristan was going over some financial dealings he had with someone or other.

They’d almost finished breakfast when Amelia came in and joined them.