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‘He can’t have!’
Laughing again but kindly, Kate finished her lemonade. ‘Oliver reminds me of my late husband, James, when he was that age. The whole sexy surfer image and the warm charm, but with that underlying kindness and honesty.’
‘But what am I going to do?’ Chloe fretted, with increasing alarm.
‘It’s a new experience for you, I know, but why not try it?’ Surprisingly calm in comparison to her own raging emotions, Kate’s voice was gentle with understanding. ‘Spend time with Oliver. Get to know him. You might find you enjoy being with him.’
With the heavy weight of her past preying on her mind, holding her in chains, Chloe stared at her friend, speechless with shock. How could Kate even suggest such a thing?
‘Oh, Chloe, my love!’ Chuckling, Kate set down her empty glass. ‘You should see your face!’ Sobering, the older woman reached out and took her hand. ‘I know a little about your past, but maybe this is the perfect time for you to finally put it behind you. I hate to see you missing out on such a big part of life. Outward images can be deceptive. There’s so much more to Oliver. Don’t judge him on rumour. He could be the perfect man to teach you to be a woman in the fullest sense of the word—the real woman you are inside—if only you would let him.’
CHAPTER THREE
‘HELLO, Oliver.’
At the sound of the female voice behind him, Oliver turned from scanning the crowds at Penhally’s Saturday morning farmers’market and met Lauren Nightingale’s slate-grey gaze. Tall, athletic and curvy, she was attractive, with an engaging smile, her long, light brown hair glowing lighter under the summer sunshine. Excellent at her job, the thirty year old was renowned for building rapport with her patients—and, he had discovered, affectionately teased for her inherent clumsiness. Oliver had only heard good things about her, and following the interactions he had already had with her through work, he liked her immensely.
‘Hi, Lauren.’
Unable to help himself, his gaze strayed past her, eager for a glimpse of Chloe, whom Kate had hinted would be here with her friend today. He felt deflated when he could find no sign of her.
‘Kate was right, you do have it bad!’
‘Sorry?’ The teasing in Lauren’s tone had him switching his attention back to her. A frown creased his brow. ‘What did you say?’
Grey eyes sparkling with mischief, Lauren linked her arm through his and led him towards a haphazard collection of tables and chairs. ‘Sit for a few minutes. We’ll have something to drink and discuss a strategy.’
‘A strategy?’ Feeling he had stepped into some kind of twilight zone, Oliver’s frown deepened, but he did as instructed and sat down.
‘About Chloe.’ A dimpled smile appeared as Lauren faced him. ‘I assume she is the reason you are here?’
‘You assume correctly,’ he admitted, returning the smile.
Accepting a chilled fruit smoothie, he began to relax as it dawned on him that Kate must have told Lauren about their talk, and that the younger woman was possibly not averse to the idea of him dating Chloe. At least, he hoped that was what Lauren meant by planning a strategy. Again his gaze strayed around the shifting crowds of tourists and locals examining the stallholders’ wares.
‘I’m afraid Chloe won’t be joining us,’ Lauren told him, correctly reading the direction of his thoughts. ‘She was paged this morning to attend a pregnant tourist staying at the Anchor Hotel.’
Trying to mask his disappointment, Oliver nodded and decided to get straight to the point. ‘So Kate’s spoken of my interest in Chloe?’
‘She has. And however daft it sounds, I feel as protective of Chloe as some old Victorian aunt.’ The warning was softened by the smile and the laughter in her eyes, but was there nonetheless.
‘That’s OK. I’m glad Chloe has such good friends looking out for her,’ he answered calmly, hoping to allay any fears Lauren might have. ‘This isn’t a game for me, Lauren. I don’t know what you might have heard about my past, but—’
She raised a hand and forestalled his words. ‘I’m not much of a one for heeding rumour and gossip, Oliver. I take people as I find them. And I’m a pretty good judge of character. You may not have been with us long, but I like you, so does Kate, and we both think you could be just what Chloe needs. But things are not going to be straightforward,’ she finished, and this time her warning sounded more serious.
‘Kate mentioned there were issues, but I don’t know what they are.’ He met Lauren’s gaze, his own sincere. ‘You and Kate both say I should keep trying. What is it you think Chloe needs? And why me?’ he asked, his uncertainty showing, unsure himself whether he, who had never had a steady relationship, was able to deliver what her friends believed he could. ‘What can you tell me that I need to know if I’m to begin to win Chloe’s trust?’
Lauren took a sip of her tangy drink, her expression thoughtful. ‘First of all, Chloe doesn’t date.’
‘You mean she isn’t dating anyone right now?’ Oliver clarified, but Lauren was shaking her head.
‘No, I mean she doesn’t date. Full stop.’
‘Ever?’ For a moment he was sure he had misunderstood but then remembered Kate had said something similar the night before. ‘Chloe never dates at all?’
‘That’s right.’
‘But why?’
Lauren’s grey gaze was sombre as she faced him. ‘It’s a long story, Oliver, and it isn’t mine to tell. I won’t break Chloe’s confidence, no matter how much I support what you are trying to do.’
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