The Lunchtime Special

Chapter 30 - The Briny Sea

Though we don't open until nine on a Saturday morning, Rob and I are busy making salads in the back room when I hear a tap on the shop door around seven fifteen. I've been listening out for it for the last half hour and my pulse immediately skips into overdrive.

"I'll get it," I tell Rob, my voice breathless and a little higher pitched than usual. He grins.

"Okay, and I'm staying right here – in fact, I'm going to move over to this bench so I can't see into the shop front."

I swat his arm and poke out my tongue, which gets a laugh, but inside I'm kind of glad I can greet Jake without an audience. Quickly whisking off my gloves, I practically skip into the other space, making my way around the counter and fridges to the door, seeing Jake's smiling face on the other side. I've barely gotten it open when he steps in, wraps me in his arms and kisses me, his overnight bristles softly scratchy when I run my hands over his jaw, his hair a little longer than when I saw him last but just perfect to plunge my fingers into.

"God, I missed you," he moans in between kisses.

"I missed you too." It seems crazy when it's only been two weeks and we talk every day, but a tiny face on a screen can't possibly compare to this – his scent, his warmth, his strength, his presence. I'm addicted to this man and like any addiction, the craving for him only grows stronger over time. "What are your plans for today?" I ask when a gasping need for air tears us apart.

"I brought some work with me; have you got a corner you can put me in so I won't get in the way?"

He looks tired, though, and I know on his body clock it's only nearing half five. "Why don't you go to my place and get some sleep first, then come back here and I can feed you and stash you over by the fridge?" When he gives me a huge smile I feel my own lips pulling up in response.

"That sounds great. Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Of course not." I lean in to him and whisper, not wanting Rob to overhear. "I don't want you falling asleep on me later in the day; I have plans for you."

His smile turns into a lascivious grin and he wriggles his brows at me. "Plans I'll need plenty of energy and stamina for, I hope?"

"Definitely." The kiss he gives me curls my toes and robs breath from my lungs, so it's on shaky legs I retrieve my keys as Jake and Rob greet each other. "Help yourself to a shower and food, coffee, whatever," I tell him, handing them over. A few minutes and another swoon-worthy kiss later, he's gone again and I give a deep sigh before going back to slicing beetroot and roasting pine nuts. Throughout the rest of the time I spend preparing food, my thoughts turn constantly to him, but once we open I've got no time to spare for daydreams, rushed off my feet to cope with an unusually busy morning.

---

"Is it always like that?"

"No, thank goodness. I don't know what drew them all out from under the woodwork today, but I guess I shouldn't complain."

In the process of locking up the shop after a hectic half day, I hand the key over to Jake when my phone shrills in my pocket. Seeing it's my mother, I hesitate to answer, wary she'll be sticking her matchmaking nose into things that are not her concern. I know she'll just keep calling me though; her persistence is legendary.

"Hi mum."

"Mia, hello love. Has Jake arrived yet? You mentioned he was visiting this weekend." Her voice is loud enough that Jake can hear, even though she's not on speakerphone. He gives me a grin when I roll my eyes.

"Yes, he's here."

"Oh, good, because I thought the two of you could come over for dinner tonight; I'm making my beef casserole with parmesan dumplings."