Summer at the Heartbreak Cafe: Summer Sweet Romance (Lakeview Contemporary Romance Book 0) by Melissa Hill

on you for everything. I feel as though we need to build a solid financial base before thinking of kids.”
    Pragmatic as always, she thought fondly. “It is a scary thought, but look at it this way. We own our own home, we have great jobs, and really we are better off than so many other people who already have families.”
    “College though?” Donal said, worry lines criss-crossing his forehead.
    Marianne looked at him, and broke into laughter. She couldn’t stop laughing, until tears rolled down her cheeks.
    “What’s funny?” he asked, setting Marianne off again.
    When she stopped, she turned to him. “Listen to yourself. You’re worried about college fees for a child who has not even yet been conceived!” She stopped talking to wipe off her tears.
    A tentative ghost of a smile appeared on Donal’s face.
    He grinned sheepishly. “But you have to admit a kid is a lot of work. Look at poor Grace. She looks perpetually confused and harassed every time I see her.”
    “True, but there are other mothers with five kids in tow who look perpetually calm,” Marianne pointed out.
    He turned to her shocked. “You want five kids?”
    She laughed. “Of course not, maybe two. And you?”
    “One.”
    “Let’s start with that and we can move on from there,” Marianne said smiling.
    “Right then, let’s go back to the cottage, and get started,” Donal said wickedly, pulling her to her feet.

25
    A few days later , Nina waited tables with her mind far off and a smile on her face. She felt giddy with joy and excitement.
    This evening after work, Sam had invited her for dinner and drinks at his summer cottage.
    A part of her was excited but another was scared. The biggest question was what if it didn’t work between them? But that was silly. They had so much chemistry that you could cut it with a knife. This would be the craziest, maddest thing she had ever done. A summer fling - imagine?
    She made her way to the counter where Ella was standing, watching her speculatively.
    “You’ve fallen for him, haven’t you?” she said, tilting Nina’s chin so that she could look into her eyes. “I knew something was brewing there. I’m so happy for you Nina; you deserve every happiness and excitement.”
    “He’s wonderful. I can’t wait for tonight,” she said, before her hands flew to cover her mouth when she realised what she had said.
    “Oh, something big happening tonight?” Ella raised an eyebrow.
    “Not really, he’s just invited me for dinner at his place.” Nina said, taking care to keep her eyes focused on anywhere else but on Ella. “Patrick staying the night at my dad’s.”
    “Hmm, be careful won’t you?” the older woman said, her voice laced with concern.
    “I’m a big girl, I’ll be fine.” Nina said with more confidence than she felt.
    “You may be, but Nina, Sam has a lot more experience with these things than you do. For him it could well be just a summer fling. Don’t fall in love with him, or is it already too late?” She touched Nina’s shoulder.
    “I promise I’ll be careful. And don’t worry, I know all that. I know that Sam is a famous author, and probably has women throwing themselves at his feet all the time. I also know that right now the last thing I need is a relationship, not that there’s an offer.”
    They both laughed.
    “Ah, I think I just want to have some fun; you remember what it felt like to have someone, even if it’s just temporary?”
    “Of course I do,” Ella said. “Enjoy yourself tonight. I wish I had some pointers to offer, but I wouldn’t remember, am too old for that kind of thing.”
    “I’m sure Joseph would disagree,” Nina winked, as Ella went in the direction of her office.
    She had lied. Of course for her, this was more than a summer romance. She had indeed fallen for Sam. She felt excited and at peace when he was with her. But she was determined not to show him that, or else he would go off running.
    The last thing someone like Sam