“It’sdefinitelynot.” Amelia stopped in front of her, casting her gaze to where the shirt hem barely covered the top of Jo’s thighs. “Though it does make it difficult to concentrate.”
Jo grinned. “On what exactly?”
“Anythingthat isn’t you.”
Jo set her toast down and looped her arms around Amelia’s neck. “You do realise breakfast will go cold if you keep talking like that, don’t you?”
“I like cold. It means things can be heated up.”
Jo laughed—the kind of sound Amelia would happily live in forever—and kissed her. It was slow, indulgent…a kiss that made Amelia forget there was a world outside of this house.
Until someone knocked, and they both froze.
Jo pulled back first, her brows drawn together. “Expecting anyone?”
“No.” Amelia’s stomach lurched. It could only be one person, because only one person showed up unannounced. “It could be him. Do you want to wait here?”
Another knock. One that came louder this time.
Amelia sighed and lowered her cup to the counter. “It may be a good idea if you stay here.”
“Why?” Jo angled her head. “Don’t you want him to know about us?”
“I don’t care what he does or doesn’t know. I just don’t want him to say anything to upset you.” Amelia drew Jo in and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “You just enjoy your coffee. It could be anyone.”
As Amelia stepped away and crossed the kitchen, she knew it would be Callum. She could feel his negative energy seeping through her closed front door. When she found the courage to open it, her son stared back at her. He looked rough. Not physically, but as though the arrogance he always carried was thinner now and worn down to something more human. Still, the sight of him on her doorstep made her jaw clench.
“Hi, Mum.”
“Callum,” she said evenly, her fingers tightening around the edge of the door. “What do you want?”
“Just came to grab the rest of my stuff. You know, since you told me to leave.”
“I remember.” Amelia didn’t budge. “You could have arranged that through text.”
“I didn’t think you’d mind me popping by.”
“Well, I do mind.”
He let out a short laugh. “You’re still angry.”
“I’m stillfurious.”
“So dramatic.” Callum rolled his eyes and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I saidonething, Mum. One thing, and it wasn’t even that deep.”
Amelia wasn’t doing this. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of another conversation. So, she tipped her head towards the stairs and opened the door wider. “Get your shit, do it quickly, and get out.”
Callum brushed past her and shot up the stairs. “Won’t be long.”
“Good.”
When he was out of sight, Amelia exhaled a deep breath and pressed a hand to her forehead. She could hear him rummaging around, and then he came back downstairs with a box and a rucksack.
The sudden clang of cups in the kitchen made Amelia freeze. Callum frowned as he looked between her and the partially open kitchen door, and then he moved closer and pushed it open.
Jo turned at the sound of the creak, still holding her cup, smiling before she realised who it was. The colour drained from her face immediately. “Callum.”
His eyes darted between them. Jo in Amelia’s night shirt, Amelia frozen behind him, the remains of their breakfast scattered across the table.
