Family Ties at the Cotswolds Candy Store by Hannah Lynn

Author:Hannah Lynn [Lynn, Hannah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

20

Holly could only eat half her curry and eventually consigned the rest of it to the fridge for the next day, assuming she’d be able to stomach it then. Fin was acting quite normally, offering her smiles and chatting away. Not a hint of animosity, which she found quite unnerving. Having fetched the plates, he’d dished up his food, filled their glasses and kept the conversation flowing. It was clear that Jamie was smitten, as she lounged against him, brushing crumbs of spring roll out of his stubble and feeding him forkfuls of her pad thai. They were now watching TV, and he continued to be the epitome of the perfect gentleman. But something about him still set her on edge.

‘I think I’m going to call it a day,’ she said, standing up.

‘Are you sure?’ Jamie asked. ‘We can put something else on if you prefer. Or we can play a game. I was going to teach Fin that new board game. He’s never played it before.’

‘Honestly, I need to get a good night’s sleep. I’m on my own in the shop tomorrow,’ she accidentally lied, only remembering afterwards that Drey had agreed to open up.

‘Okay, if you’re sure.’

In the kitchen, she poured herself a tall glass of water and took a mouthful. Her favourite toothbrush was still at Ben’s house, she realised. Along with a fair few other things, like pieces of jewellery and some of her makeup. She should really go and get them but wasn’t sure she was ready for that yet. Maybe he’d drop them over.

‘Holly?’

Fin’s voice behind her made her jump. For a moment, she’d forgotten all about him. Yet there he was again, holding a small box in his hand.

‘Sorry if we didn’t get off on the right foot earlier. I know I can be a little intense when you first meet me. It’s a fault I’m working on. Great for business meetings, not so good for socialising. Jamie has warned me about it. So here.’

He held out the box to her.

‘What’s this?’ she asked, not moving to take it from him.

‘Just a little housewarming gift.’

‘I think you’re meant to give gifts when someone moves in. I already live here. Besides, you brought the cake and the drink.’

‘Which you barely touched. Besides, this is something a little more special. Go on, take it.’

She hesitated a moment longer, then reached out and took the box. It was heavier than she’d expected, particularly given its size.

‘Go on. Open it,’ he instructed.

Sensing there was no way around this, she lifted the lid.

‘A candle?’ she said, making sense of the shape inside.

‘Yup. It’s homemade. Not by me, though. One of my friends creates them. They smell amazing. This one’s sage and rose quartz. It has actual pieces of quartz embedded in it. If you burn it while you meditate, it helps to unblock your energy channels.’

Bloody energy channels, again. Holly felt her jaw tighten. She somehow managed to disguise her grimace as a smile, if a somewhat brittle one.

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