To Mend a Broken Heart by K.A. Hobbs Read Free Book Online

me his phone for me to input my address, I put my mobile number in there too.
     
    “Wine usually.”
     
    “Red? White?”
     
    “Red. A nice, heavy French red.”
     
    “Okay. I can do that. Give me half an hour.”
     
    “Thank you, Daniel. Not just for this… just, thank you.” I look down at my feet and feel stupid all of a sudden.
     
    “There is no need to say thank you. I’ll see you soon.” he smiles and gets into his car.
     
    His car, that now I look at it, is blocking a large portion of the road. I’m surprised no one has hooted at him. I get into my car and start the engine, Daniel drives off first and I follow soon after. It only occurs to me on the drive home that I have no idea what state the house is in. Have I left my knickers drying on the downstairs radiators? Did I load the dishwasher last night after dinner or did I just leave the plates in the sink? When was the last time I hoovered? Suddenly asking Daniel over seems like a really bad idea.
     
    As soon as I park, I jump out of the car and run into the house. Throwing my jacket and bag on the floor, I run around the house making sure it doesn’t look like a bomb has hit it. Luckily, I did put everything away after dinner. But I do have my knickers on the radiators. I collect everything I can carry and run it all upstairs, dumping it onto my bed. Quicker than I expect, there is a knock at the door. I race downstairs, blowing hair out of my face and throw the front door open.
     
    “You were quick.”
     
    “I don’t mess around.” he grins, holding up the bags in his hand.
     
    “Is that what I think it is?”
     
    “What do you think it is?” he raises an eyebrow at me.
     
    “Chocolate?”
     
    “Then yes, it is what you think it is.”
     
    “What kind of chocolate?”
     
    “The only kind of chocolate adults should eat. Dark chocolate of course.”
     
    He hands me a bag and I peek inside. There isn’t just one kind of chocolate in there, there is a whole variety of chocolate in here.
     
    “Did I happen to mention that After Eights are my absolutefavourite?”
     
    “No. But they are delicious. Closely followed by Terry’s Chocolate Orange . Dark chocolate only.”
     
    “A man after my own heart.” I smile as he walks into the house.
     
    “I got a couple of bottles, and this.” he holds up a bottle of Talisker whiskey.
     
    “Yuck!” I shudder and scrunch my nose up.
     
    “You don’t like whiskey?”
     
    “No I do not ,” I shake my head, “It tastes foul and it burns your throat. Why do you like it?”
     
    “For those reasons, except the foul part. It tastes delicious. If you find the right one, and this,” he holds up the bottle, “Is the right one.”
     
    “If you say so. Do you want ice?”
     
    “No.” it’s his turn to shudder now, “Dilute what is already perfect?”
     
    “You want a glass though, right?” I say over my shoulder as I get myself a wine glass.
     
    “As I have company, yes.” he laughs.
     
    I fill my wine glass with the red wine Daniel so kindly purchased and he pours himself a generous measure of his foul amber liquid. As the evening is warm we head outside to the garden. I’ve not been out here much at all, but Ryan and Ginny have kept it all looking nice. I put my sunglasses on and sit at the table, trying desperately not to picture Richard over by the barbecue last summer. However hard I try though, the memories come flooding back and I feel like I’ve been kicked in the stomach. I must show signs of distress, because Daniel frowns and leans over to run his hand over mine.
     
    “Are you okay?” he whispers.
     
    “Not right now no, I’m so sorry, Daniel. I’m not always like this I promise.”
     
    “Why are you apologising? There is no need. Do you… Do you want to talk about it?”
     
    “I want to talk about him, Daniel. I just can't seem to be able to without ending up in tears.”
     
    “The same thing happens when I talk about Poppy. But I seem to