The light is fading, and a shadow casts over the gardens. “I should go, my love. The sun is setting, and it’s getting creepy. I want to get back before it gets too dark and I should relieve Connie. Oh, that’s Tommy’s nanny by the way. She’s babysitting Josh for me as Tommy is visiting his parents with his little boy.” Then I raise my brows when I realise something. “I wonder if Tommy makes arrangements to free up Connie on purpose to help me out.” I ponder that thought while pushing myself up from the ground, brushing myself down and taking a few moments just staring at Scott’s stone. “Whatever happens, I want you to know there will always be a special place in my heart reserved just for you.” I kiss my fingertips and lay them on his engraved name. “Love you.”
I throw my keys into the bowl by the stairs as I enter the house. It’s quiet, which worries me. The last two times Connie has looked after Josh, there’s been so much laughter. It was good to hear.
“Hello? Anyone around?” I call out.
“In here, babe.”
My stomach freefalls. Is that Tommy? Shit. What is he doing here?
“Hello?” I say again.
“Hey.” He stands from the sofa and walks around the back to greet me. His hands are in the pockets of his blue jeans.
“Where are Josh and Connie?” I ask, looking past him.
He must hear the slight panic in my tone. “Don’t worry, they’re all good. I came over to see if Josh wanted to join us for ice cream, but Connie said she was happy to take them both. I’ve hung back because I wanted to talk to you. Is that okay?”
I take off my coat. “Yeah, sure.” After hanging it up, I continue into the kitchen. He follows me, his woody scent overpowering my senses, and my heart pounds in my ears. I’m embarrassed by how we left things previously, and I avoid eye contact. I can’t carry on like this for much longer. I’ve missed him.
“Can I get you a drink or anything?” I ask, opening the fridge and retrieving a bottle of water.
“No. I’m good.”
I unscrew the top and guzzle down half the bottle before I stop. I didn’t realise how thirsty I was.
“Can we sit for a bit?”
I glance his way. When he asks anything of me, even just to take a seat, it gives me palpitations, and why is he looking so bloody gorgeous with his newly cut, ruffled curly hair? He hasn’t shaved either, giving him a rough jawline, and I note just enough buttons undone on his shirt for me to remember how buff he is in the chest area.
“Angie?”
Oh, shit. He said something I missed.
“Did I lose you there for a minute?”
“Nope.” I shake my head. “I mean, yes, sorry. I’m all ears.”
He takes my hand and leads me to the sofa while my skin prickles with excitement.
“Are you mad at me?”
I scratch my forehead, looking anywhere around theroom, but at Tommy. “Mad? No.” If anyone should be mad, it should be him.
“Then what?” He sits forward, his legs wide and his hands cupped between them. “You’ve been avoiding me the past few days, so if you’re not mad, what is it?”
I purse my lips, unsure how to answer. When seconds go by without a reply he adds, “Please, babe. Talk to me.”
My stomach cartwheels over and over. It’s part nerves, part panic, part confusion. I’m scared to lose what we have, but then, I also know I want everything with Tommy. I’m so drawn to him that when we’re together, I could easily submit.
I never expected to be in this position with him again. One where I would look for excuses to touch and be near him. These feelings are new, but at the same time, warm and familiar. Does he have any idea how confusing this is for me?
“The other night—the whole situation took me by surprise.” I try to explain.
He sighs. “But you must have noticed how this heat between us has been burning for a while? I know I’ve felt it. Then the other night, something came over me and all I wanted to do was be as close to you as possible. I couldn’t stop myself.” His palm runs down his face. “It just felt right.”
I’m certain my face is a brighter shade of pink as my internal dialogue agrees with him. I know exactly what he means.
“Did I get this all wrong or did you feel it too?” The way his beautiful hazel eyes are looking at me should be illegal. I can’t breathe properly.
