Where Do Broken Hearts Go? | Unexpected Series Book One

Chapter 8: Coughing Fits and No Santa

Harry's POV

Not much is being said around the table, Beth's children are far too busy eating and I can't say I blame them.

This is pretty good stuff.

I take a moment to study Beth as she listens to Jamie speak about something. Her hair is down today, her loose brown curls hang over her shoulders and she absentmindedly runs her hand through it and flips it away, much like I do. Her eyes are a deep blue, her nose is small and cute and her lips; the bottom one is plump and I can see a tiny freckle on it.

She rests her chin on her left hand and I think I see something on the inside of her wrist poke out.

It's a tattoo!

I want to know what it is but I can't make it out, I can hardly see any of it. My interest is definitely piqued though.

The sound of forks clanging into empty bowls and a chorus of 'thank you's' is heard and it brings me back to reality.

"That really was delicious," I say to Beth, "I should get the recipe for mum."

Beth nods her head in agreement.

"Absolutely!" she replies, "remind me before you go."

The kids get up from the table and start to clear away everyone's bowls except for Beth's, which I find strange.

Chloe stands and takes my bowl before I can even move, giving me a dazzling smile.

The kids seem to have completely forgotten about Beth as they start getting dessert ready.

She sighs as its obvious no one's worried about her bowl, to the point Jamie insinuates she's perfectly capable of getting the bowl to the sink herself.

Cheeky lad.

Beth decides she's going to wait for dessert and I agree with her. I need to let the delicious risotto settle for a moment but I wouldn't mind some more wine and I ask if she would like some more. She seems to hesitate for a split second but agrees to it.

The kids now have their dessert all set and ask if they can take it upstairs to watch a movie before bed.

I really like her kids, but I secretly hope she lets them so I can have some one on one time with her to get to know her. More adult talk I suppose would be good. When she agrees to let them I mentally high five myself.

She says goodnight to them and grabs the bottle of wine before she walks back over to me.

She goes to open the bottle but I stop her and do the gentlemanly thing and take it gently from her so I can refill our glasses.

"Allow me," I say.

A strange sound comes out of Beth, which sounds kind of like a cough and before I can get her some water, she grabs her glass of wine and takes a large mouthful.

Oh that's not going to be good.

She's now coughing madly and although I'm concerned for her, I find it bloody funny.

"Are you okay?" I ask, trying not to laugh.

"Yes," she manages to reply.

She has tears in beautiful blue eyes, but she's laughing at the same time. I love a girl, well, woman who can laugh at herself.

After I refill the glasses, I ask if she wants to sit in the lounge as I think it would be much more comfortable.

She seems to hesitate at my request. Am I being too forward? I really hope not.