The Promise of Summer, Part 2 by Bella Osborne

Author:Bella Osborne [Osborne, Bella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2021-05-27T12:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Ruby was pleased that Curtis had sorted out the train tickets for both of them. Better still, he said he’d cover them as a work expense because they were going to discuss her workload during the journey. They had a seat with a table and Curtis faced the way he wanted to, giving Ruby full view of the carriage. Curtis tapped away on his laptop and she watched a couple who were sitting a few seats down. They were younger than her and there was something about their body language that caught her attention. The way they touched each other, the facial expressions and how they happily invaded each other’s space. They were clearly in love and Ruby had to concentrate not to let out a heavy sigh.

Curtis shut the laptop with a slap, making her jolt. ‘What is it?’ he asked, placing both hands on the closed lid and giving her his full attention.

‘It’s the couple down there,’ she said in a whisper and nodded her head.

Curtis leaned out into the aisle for a good look behind him.

‘Don’t be that obvious. You’re as subtle as a truckload of bricks.’ Curtis gave a mock scowl over his shoulder. She instantly realised her mistake. ‘Sorry.’ Curtis stayed leaning into the aisle for a while. ‘Curtis,’ she hissed and he righted himself.

‘I see two people acting quite childishly. What is it that you see?’

She tilted her head. It was obvious to her. ‘Two people in love.’

‘Really?’ But before she could answer he was having another unsubtle look. ‘How on earth do you deduce that? Neither is wearing a ring. I’ve not seen them kiss. And we can’t hear what they’re saying.’

‘It’s the way they look at each other. How comfortable they are in each other’s space. The fact that happiness is practically radiating off of them.’

‘Hmm. Interesting.’

‘It really is interesting. Well, it is to me. I love that they’ve found their ideal partner,’ said Ruby, folding her arms and trying hard not to stare at the couple.

‘What are you looking for in an ideal partner?’ he asked.

She narrowed her eyes. ‘Why do you want to know?’

‘For one I’m meant to be introducing you to suitable potential partners and I’m also genuinely interested. Relationships fascinate me. Though they also confuse me.’ He grimaced as he spoke.

‘I know what you mean. I read a lot and the men in the books are nothing like reality.’

‘I suppose that is why it’s called fiction,’ he said.

‘Good point. But it’s not only finding someone. It’s finding the right person and making it last.’ A thought struck her. ‘Adam and Eve couldn’t make their relationship work long-term and they were in paradise – what are my chances in Sheffield?’ She chuckled at her own joke.

Curtis didn’t. ‘I’m not sure location is a big factor in longevity.’

‘Maybe not, but if you think about all the permutations of what you and they want from a relationship, the odds of finding a match are stacked against you.’

‘Go on then. I won’t judge.

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