Cherry Blossoms by Patricia Keyson

.” He was going to add and finding time to meet new men, but stopped himself as he knew it would sound petty.
    “ I suppose I wouldn’t have done the baking if Jay had been around,” shrugged Cherry.
    “ Where is he tonight? With Pat and her husband? He could have had another go on the computer. You were right, he is easy to get to know.” Then he blurted out, “I wish I could say the same about his mother.”
    Che rry frowned. “I’m not difficult to get on with, Oliver. Perhaps you don’t want to get on with me.”
    “ What’s the point? We have to have a working relationship, but that’s all it can be, I understand that. Don’t worry, Cherry, I won’t cramp your style.” Oliver felt ashamed of himself. How could he be this mean to Cherry? If only he’d spoken to her before of his feelings, she mightn’t have looked elsewhere.
    Taking him by the arm, Cherry led him to the sofa and sat down next to him. “Oliver, what’s going on?”
    Letting out a breath, Oliver admitted, “I saw you in reception. You were with someone. I didn’t want to intrude. I was . . .” He was going to say jealous, but there seemed no point in his confession now.
    He looked surprised w hen Cherry burst out laughing. “Oh Oliver, is that what’s annoying you? I’m sorry if my behaviour wasn’t proper in the public area, but it was my ex-husband, Alan. He turned up out of the blue and he seemed to think I’d be pleased to see him.”
    “ And were you?” asked Oliver, holding his breath waiting for her reply.
    “ Yes, of course I was.”
    “ I see,” said Oliver downing the remaining drops of wine from his glass. “I’d better go.”
    “ You can’t go yet, you haven’t had any flapjack. Here, help yourself while I explain.”
    Oliver sat back down on the sofa and listened.
    “ I was pleased to see Alan because I knew it would make Jay happy. They are spending the evening together. I haven’t seen Jay as cheerful for a long time.” That wasn’t true, reflected Cherry. He’d been equally as cheerful when Oliver had been showing him what you could do on the computer. But somehow she felt shy admitting that. While she’d been thinking of Jay, Oliver had placed his empty glass on the table and was pulling her towards him.
    Holding her very gently, his mouth came down on hers , and his fingers stroked her hair and neck.
    This time there was no mistaking his desire , and Cherry responded to him with all her heart.

Chapter Fifteen
    Cherry was pleased Oliver had come round the previous Friday evening and she’d been able to explain about Alan, although she still wasn’t quite sure how he saw their relationship. However the air had been cleared, and she hoped that when she arrived for work they would have the easy-going relationship they sometimes achieved when they were working together. Considering how little experience she had, she was surprised at how much notice Oliver took of her suggestions for the hotel. He’d given her complete freedom to design the brochure, and she was very excited about her progress so far. Today she was going to take the photos and make a trip into town to the printers so that they could produce the proof. But first she needed to find a digital camera.
    Before starting on the cleaning she decided to go to the office to see if Oliver had one. She felt a need to see him and reassure herself that he was still the same Oliver she’d spent those precious, intimate moments with. On entering the room she was disappointed to find him on the phone. He quickly finished the conversation with “I’ll call you later”, but looked rather secretive, a bit like Jay when she caught him doing something she didn’t approve of.
    “ Is everything all right, Oliver? You look a bit flushed.”
    He mumbled , “Fine,” then shuffled a few papers on his desk.
    “ Good. I wanted to say how much Jay enjoyed spending time with you on the computer. He had great fun. Thanks.” She was getting no response.