I’m joking around with Max, while general chatter fills the room, and we take our places around the huge dining room table.
The kids are down one end, and I take a second to check in with Ozzie. “Hey, little dude. Are you having a good day?” I crouch down by his seat, tickling his stomach.
He giggles. “Look, Daddy. I spilled—” He points to the paint on his trainers, and I glance at Connie, who bites the inside of her cheek.
“I’m sorry. We were hand painting, and he was wearing an apron, but he put a little too much on the brush.”
Josh appears from nowhere and reaches for Connie’s hand. “Connie? Can you talk to my mummy?”
Josh points to Angie, who waves at Connie and walks over. My heart is hammering against my chest as the sound of her voice nears.Finally, she’s here.
“Connie, I’m so sorry. Could you take Josh earlier tomorrow? There are a few loose ends I should tie up at work.”
“No problem at all,” she replies. Meanwhile, I stand up from my crouched position and Connie glances between us.
Angie takes in a sharp breath. “Tom. Hi. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Hey.” I raise my chin towards her as Connie takes both boys by the hand.
“Come on, you two. Let’s find a couple of plates and get started on the food.”
“Thanks. You’re a star,” Angie says to Connie, although her eyes never leave mine.
My hand brushes her hip briefly. I’m conscious that this is the first time many of our friends have seen us together. My heart thuds a wild beat and I can’t stop grinning. We grab whatever time we can, but this last time apart seems longer than normal.
My tone is hushed when I ask her, “How’s it going?”
Her voice is equally as quiet and she lowers her eyes briefly. “Okay, I suppose.” Then her gaze comes back to me. “I miss you.”
Maybe it’s because I’ve missed her too that I’m sure she looks more fucking beautiful than ever today. I want to take her in my arms so badly, but this isn’t the time. Not yet.
“Come on, everyone. Let’s sit down and eat,” Calla calls across the room, oven gloves on and carrying an enormous lasagne dish.
Without thinking, I pull out a chair, offering Angie a seat. She smiles up at me when she sits and even more when I take my place next to her.
All eyes are on us. I can sense them, but eventually, everyone around the table dives into pasta, salads, and garlic bread. The room comes alive with chat, but me and Angiestay pretty quiet, taking in the surrounding noise but exchanging heated glances.
I lean in next to her. “It would be good to talk somewhere private after dinner.”
Under the table, her hand falls to my knee. The smell of spring flowers fills the space around us and she leans in. “I’d like that, Tom.”
I’ve never eaten so fucking fast in all my life.
ANGIE
Dinner winds down around six and, despite the noise, Calla suggests the kids stay for a sleepover and the nannies take a well-deserved night off. She must be out of her mind, but Josh is so excited to stay over with his friends, I can’t say no.
Ash, Bernie, and Max decide to play pool in the games room.
“Are you coming, man?” Ash asks Tommy.
“I’ll catch you up later,” he replies, glancing my way.
Calla catches my attention, gathering the kids together like a herd of sheep.
“Okay, you lot. Up the stairs, PJs on, and for a special treat, we’re watchingToy Story 2.” Then she smiles my way and winks. We talked a lot today. She knows I have so much to say to Tommy. I couldn’t do this without her support, which she says is stupid, but our lives are bound together in every way. Her feelings are just as important to me as the caring and beautiful man currently instructing his security guy to take his nanny home safely.
Out of the five children here, it’s Josh’s slight squeal of joy that steals my attention briefly when Calla tells thempopcorn is on the way. He probably won’t last more than five minutes before he falls asleep, but my little boy deserves this time and he just can’t wait to get started. He gives me a half-hearted hug before rushing off to join his friends and, when he climbs the stairs, he has the happiest smile on his face. It’s priceless.
