Zac launches himself into my arms in a giant hug, a gesture I suspect will become a regular thing whenever we see each other. Something about it eases the tension and anxiety that’s been churning inside me ever since I walked into Jason’s office.
“What are you guys doing here?” I ask.
“We just finished lunch, actually. We’re on our way to the park now. What about you?” Hope replies.
“I was just here to see Jason, but he’s a little busy at the moment. I got a new truck this morning, and wanted to show him.”
“Wait, you sold your Merc?”
I chuckle softly. “I traded it in. I needed a vehicle that could haul wood from place to place, and well, the Merc, just wasn’t up to the job.”
“A truck suits you more. You’ve got that sexy tradie look about you.” She gives me a cheeky wink, and the grin that follows sends heat pooling low in my belly.
Well, there are worse ways to be distracted from the uncomfortable encounter with my ex-wife just minutes earlier.
As if I’ve summoned her out of thin air, I hear her laugh before I see her—bright and unmistakable—as she rounds thecorner that led to Jason’s office with the rest of the group, heading straight for the bar.
Heath’s arm is draped around her shoulders, hers looped securely around his waist.
It’s still strange to see her with him, even though years have passed since she left me and is now married to someone new. I never imagined, not even once, that another man would be the one holding her, the one who would give her the family she’s always wanted.
Heath’s hand is always on her somewhere, not possessive, but instinctive, as if he needs to keep her safe and close at all times. I recognise it instantly.
That was me for so many years whenever she was near.
“Is she someone you know?”
At the sound of her voice, I flick my gaze back to Hope, only to find her staring at Skylar.
“Yes...she’s my ex.” I admit, solemnly.
She was my first love, my best friend—my whole world, before I betrayed her and fucked everything up.
Those are the words I should be saying. The only truth I should be confessing.But they remain trapped inside me, caught deep in my throat, too painful to speak out loud.
“She’s gorgeous,” she says, her eyes still locked on my ex-wife.
“She is, and she’s a good person, too.”
“Is that her husband?”
I steal a quick glance at Heath, then turn away, the sight of him kissing her, even if only on the temple, is just too much to bear.
I nod, wordlessly, unable to speak all of a sudden. Hope seems to sense my struggle and thankfully, steers the conversation elsewhere.
“What have you got planned for the rest of the day?”
“I was going to work on a bespoke design for a client. But I’m kind of not in the right headspace right now. So, I’ll most likely sit in front of the TV all day.”
“I can’t think of anything more depressing. Why don’t you hang out with us? You always work too hard. You could probably use a break.”
“Yeah! And there’s a basketball hoop in the park,” Zac says excitedly. “We can see who can score the most points.”
I place my arm around Zac’s shoulders. “I don’t know, kid. I kind of don’t want to make you look bad when I kick your butt,” I tease light-heartedly.
He laughs out loud, almost mockingly, and jabs me right in the gut. “Yeah, right. You’re going down, mister—down toLoserTown.’”
“Oh, yeah?” is all the warning I give before I trap him in place and ruffle his hair, grinning.
