slowly. “It’s not just safety. I don’t know what kind of heating system is in these homes. They’re rented out less frequently in the winter months, and part of that is not just down to demand. It’s about high running costs.”
I frowned at the screen. “It says they were built less than five years ago. Surely they’re built with better insulation than the building we’re in right now.”
“Maybe,” he murmured.
Realizing what the problem was, I cuddled into him. “She has to move out on her own at some point.”
Roane nodded slowly. “Aye, I know. Doesn’t mean I’m happy about her living alone.”
“I’ve lived alone for years. She’ll be fine.”
He heaved a sigh and looked over at Caro, who was pretending not to listen. “If you like the Beadnell house, you should make an appointment to view it. But I’d like to be there.”
“I’d like you to be there too.” Her eyes flicked to me. “Both of you.”
Warmed from her inclusion, I smiled. “I’d be happy to.”
As we sat down to eat at the dining table that night, Shadow lying beneath an open window, we dug in to the delicious satay sweet potato curry Caro had thrown together, and I felt a contentment I couldn’t remember ever feeling.
It scared the crap out of me.
Not because I was afraid of it.
But because it meant there was a very, very difficult decision looming ahead of me.
* * *
• • •
No one at The Anchor noticed that Roane and I walked in holding hands. Milly and Viola were run off their feet behind the bar, and the locals hadn’t spotted anything unusual as we stood with Shadow at our side. The tables by the fire in the dog-friendly area of the pub were occupied. Thankfully we waited only a few minutes before the two occupants of the smaller table departed. We grabbed it and borrowed an unused seat from another table for Caro.
It was cool. Roane and I were happy to be smooshed up together.
Still, for Caro’s sake, I tried not to be too touchy-feely with her cousin. No one enjoyed feeling like a third wheel. It was just after Roane bought us a first round of drinks that the bar started to quiet down a little. We grabbed the larger table when it emptied, and Viola was soon able to join us.
While she and Caro began chatting about the house Caro was interested in renting, Roane leaned in to whisper in my ear, “When can we leave?”
I shivered at the feel of his lips brushing my skin and turned to smile. “Why?”
Except I knew why as soon as I saw his expression.
This time I shivered with a deeper longing. “Oh.” My eyes rounded. “Again?”
His teeth flashed. “I’m sore from wanting you all the time, angel.”
I moved closer to him, my lips almost touching his as I murmured, “An angel you’ll corrupt by turning me into a sex addict.”
Roane’s reply was low and gruff. “That doesn’t sound like a bad thing to me.” He brushed his mouth against mine and I leaned in to deepen it.
“What. The. Fuck?”
The high-pitched question halted us, and we drew apart, amusement dancing in our eyes before we turned to Viola. She was half grinning, half gaping.
“No way!” She gestured excitedly to us. “You’re together?”
I giggled at her exuberant response. “Yeah, we’re together.”
Viola turned toward the bar. “Mam!” she yelled, drawing every eye in the place, including her mother’s.
“Jesus Christ, what is it, lass?” Milly lifted the bar to exit it, her eyes wide with concern.
“Roane and Evie are together! Together together!”
A rumble of response slowly built among the locals until we started to hear, “Well, who wins the pot then?”
“Is it Dex?”
“It’s not Dex.” Milly shook her head. “It might be Jed.”
“Who’s got the list?”
“It’s on Vi’s phone. Where’s your phone, lass?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I cut in.
Viola grinned mischievously. “I started a pot for everyone to guess how long it would take for you and Roane to get together. There’s nearly a thousand quid up for grabs.”
Full of disbelief, I turned to Roane, but he was struggling to contain his laughter.
“You’re okay about them betting on us?”
His answering grin turned into a chuckle. “Evie . . . they were betting on the eventuality of you in my bed. I can’t be mad about that kind of support.”
I smacked his arm as those in our vicinity laughed. “You’re lucky I liked what you did there, Roane Robson.”