Page 48 of Lessons in Love

“Beautiful.”

I have to admit I’ve outdone myself. Fairy lights are wrapped around the wooden beam and the faint mist gives the whole setting a dream-like look. We hit the stairs, and the picnic is just as I left it. Fruit, crackers, cheese, and chocolate. I send a silent prayer up that Oliver’s not allergic to anything. Turning, I watch him take it all in, candlelight flickering in his darkened eyes.

“Did you set this all up just for me?” The wonder in his voice does nothing to calm the burning on my face.

“Not just for you, silly. This is something I’ve wanted to do for ages. I’ve just never had an excuse to. Now sit.”

He does as I say, and I make my way down next to him. I grab a piece of chocolate as I survey the food. Luckily the snacks I’d laid out are still here, covered by those little mesh umbrellas Mum always keeps handy. I’m moderately surprised one of the twins didn’t manage to sniff them out. Oliver looks around with wide eyes, and I’m suddenly worried I’ve done too much. I’ve come on too strong. The chocolate turns to dust in my mouth.

Jesus, Eden! You bring this guy to your house to meet your family and now you’re having a candlelit picnic! Great way to be subtle.

“I know it’s too much but— “

“Eden,” Oliver says softly, hand brushing my cheek. “This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.” I’m frozen. I feel like a deer in the glare of the headlights. But…not in a bad way. I’m mesmerised. Oliver’s eyes match the intensity behind mine, and a smile quirks up the side of his lips. “You’ve got a bit of…”

“Oh!” I raise a hand to my lips, wiping away a smear of chocolate. “Yeah, thanks.” Tucking a piece of hair behind my ears, I do my best to calm my shaking hands.

Get a grip of yourself! Don’t think about how gorgeous he looks in that jumper, or the way his curls seem to glow in the light, or…

“When did you even get a chance to set this all up?” Oliver’s voice cuts through my fantasies.

“Well, it was easy to sneak away with the twins keeping you so entertained. Jake helped me, actually.” I pop a grape into my mouth, desperate to have something else to focus on besides the way Oliver is looking at me. His face shifts slightly.

“Jake helped you?” He asks strangely.

“Yeah. With a little bit of blackmail, of course. Could I interest you in a strawberry?” Taking it out of my hands and popping it into his mouth, he still gives me a weird look as he chews. “What’s wrong?”

“No, nothing. It’s not you. I’m just…surprised to hear your brother helped you. Mine wouldn’t help me even if my life depended on it.” Oliver laughs, but it’s a harsh one. Not his usual bright sound. And suddenly I’m angry.

“I hate the way they treat you,” I say, trying to keep my voice neutral as I pick at the strawberry leaves. “It’s not your fault you’re doing what your mum wanted you to do.”

“Yeah.” His voice seems unusually tight, and when I glance over at him, I see tears glistening in his eyes, threatening to fall.

“Oh, Oliver I’m—“ Reaching over, I take his hand in mine. It’s warm. So warm against the cold night’s air. There’s something about being here, tucked away in a gazebo. Words come easier. “Your worth is more than anything that they could possibly tell you it is. You are one of the smartest people you know. My friends love you, my family love you. And I—I love the time we spend together.”

Oliver grins slightly and rubs his thumb across the back of my hand. “She would have died ten years ago tomorrow, “ he says softly. “That’s why I try my best to forget about Easter. I still think of her every single day.” He looks at me, and something passes across his face. “She would have loved you, you know? A strong woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to get it. I’ll take you to meet her one day.”

I give his hand a squeeze. “I would like that.”

“Anyway, enough of that depressing stuff. When did you even have the time to go down to the shops?” Oliver cuts through a piece of cheese, tongue poking out in concentration between his full lips.

“Jake went out with Dad and grabbed it.”

He hands me a cracker. “Jeez, does he approve?”

“Yeah, he’s quite fond of a camembert.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Oliver’s voice takes on that soft, dark quality that he only uses when he wants to make sure I’m listening.

And I have to share a bed with him tonight? Shoot me now. I’d be in Heaven both ways.

“He thinks you’re a very nice young man.” I want to avoid where this conversation is going. Not that I don’t want to have it. I just… I don’t know. The tension is palpable in the air and Oliver locks me in place with an intense gaze.

“Good. I’m glad your family likes me.”

“I think the twins like you too much,” I snort. “I’ve barely seen you since we got back.”

“And is that such a bad thing?”