Forget Me Not (Escape Contemporary Romance) by Nina Blake Read Free Book Online Page B

Merely loving him hadn’t quite covered it.
    She’d been too carried away with work and family and their social life to take pleasure in the little things. They both had, with Stefan gradually becoming consumed by his career.
    They finished eating and Stefan leaned forward, resting his arms on his thighs. ‘What was our wedding like?’
    Claire should’ve seen the question coming, but that was okay. She could give him an honest answer.
    ‘It was small,’ she said. ‘Neither of us wanted a big wedding. Your mother thought it should have been the social event of the year, but we wanted something more personal than that. I don’t have much family, just Mum and Sophie, and your family came over from the States. Other than that, it was just close friends. The wedding was just one day out of all the days we had together. I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on it.’
    ‘But that Japanese couple…the way they looked at each other. We were like that too, weren’t we?’
    ‘Yes.’
    Stefan nodded, taking it all in. She saw determination in his intense pale eyes. He would try his utmost to make the most of a bad situation.
    ‘It must have been a wonderful day,’ he said.
    ‘It was. ‘
    ‘I might phone them,’ he said.
    ‘Who?’
    ’My parents.’
    She nodded, but knew how the conversation would pan out. They’d get here in their own good time, and nothing Stefan could say would change their plans.
    He raised his eyebrows. ‘You don’t approve?’
    ‘It’s not that. Actually, I think you should call them.’
    ‘Then what?’
    ‘They were never particularly fond of me.’ An understatement if she’d ever made one.
    ‘Then they’re not very good judges of character.’
    Still leaning forward, Stefan turned to face her, his knee nudging her leg. That touch sent a sizzle up her spine, and made the downy hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She savoured the moment, small though it was, intentional or not. He hadn’t moved his leg away, had just left it there. Touching her. Reminding her of the way it used to be between them.
    In many ways, their life together had been spectacular. The sex had been amazing; they’d holiday together, skiing down snow-covered slopes and hiking up rugged mountains. But it wasn’t those moments she ached for.
    It was the little things, the everyday that she missed the most—the brush of a hand, a quick kiss goodbye, a loving word in her ear. With the gentle press of his leg against hers, he’d given her a small bit of that back again, a reminder of times past.
    An unusual feeling washed over her. She began to feel a peculiar mixture of pleasure and regret, that she’d do anything to have him hold her in his arms one last time. To feel protected, to feel loved.
    Anything.
    Was it possible to have some of that back again, just a taste to tide her over, a little something to dull the pain?
    ‘What’s next on the itinerary?’ Stefan asked, his eyes on hers
    She nodded across the harbour. ‘We should walk across Circular Quay and see the Sydney Opera House close up. Like any good tourist.’
    ‘Oh, I’m a very good tourist. I’m really enjoying this.’
    She smiled. ‘So am I.’
    He took to his feet. ‘Then what are we waiting for?’
    ‘Good question.’
    As Claire stood, he pressed his hand to the small of her back, ushering her ahead of him. She’d remember this too—the warmth of his touch, the way it made her feel small and protected. Every moment was special and she should appreciate each one individually.
    Maybe this was a second chance? Not for love, not for a life together, but just for some time together so she could remember and savour, then leave it at that.
    She would have to remind herself that this wasn’t the whole Stefan—wasn’t the same man he’d been— but at least he was by her side. He was here. It was more than she could have dreamed of.
    This time around she’d enjoy every, single moment.
    After all, how many people get a second