‘Maybe. Yes?’ she says, turning her confused gaze to me.
‘That’s easy.’ I step around her and take her hand in mine, leading her to the sectional sofa. ‘Because some of us don’t have the drive that you do. Or are half as brave.’
‘That’s ...’ Baffling to her still, I can tell. ‘But why not mention it?’
‘Dunno. I suppose I don’t tell anyone. It’s not impressive or earned. It’s a family thing.’ My grandfather owned a small hardware store, passed down from his father. Don’t ask me how, but he designed and patented a multi-function tool table that took off like a rocket. Aussie blokes like their sheds and their tools almost as much as they like their beer. ‘Speaking of family, when I called them this week and told them about my plans, I also told them about you. You know, before you gave me the flick.’
‘Before I gave you what?’
‘My marching orders—the boot.’ She looks horrified, whether because of my phrasing or the thoughts that I have a family, I’m not sure. But they’re not bad, really. ‘Mum seems to think you’re some sort of miracle worker. Her and dad are going apeshit to meet you.’
‘Meet me?’ she repeats.
‘Anyone who’s had... how’d mum put it?Such a positive effect on me must be a very special person.’
‘But I didn’t do anything,’ she says, totally bemused.
‘You’re helping me live up to my potential. Or some such shit. Making me grow the fuck up, according to one of my arsehole brothers.’
‘But I like you the way you are.’ I feel like she has my heart in her hands for the purpose of giving it a good hug. ‘I don’t want you to change.’
‘You might feel a bit differently when we have kids.’
‘Flynn.’ She places her hand flat on my chest, her soft brown gaze turning solemn. ‘I’m not pregnant.’
‘Maybe not yet. We’ve got plenty of time to change that though, hey?’
‘You really want to do this? With me?’
‘Well, I’m not here to fuck spiders, love.’
When she laughs, it’s the very best of things. ‘Am I even supposed to know what that means?’
‘You know, the sooner you stop talking, the sooner I can show you my big bed.’
‘Your family—I won’t hide what I do.’
‘Who’s expecting you to? In fact, if you get any new subscribers with Aussie ISPs, feel free to block them. It’ll be my brothers. They’ve already decided you’re a dead-set legend. Just be grateful we live half a world away.’
‘You told them?’
‘Yeah. I’m in love with you; of course I did.’
‘You are the most perplexing—’ She shakes her head, her hand falling away. ‘I really don’t understand.’
‘I reckon we’ll work that into our wedding vows. Neither of us understands, but yet we know.’ She inhales sharply her mouth falling open, her expression filling my head with images that have no business there.Yet. ‘That wasn’t a proposal by the way. When I propose, you’ll know.’
‘Do you think we’re moving too fast?’
‘Maybe. But it works for me. Don’t overthink it,’ I say, taking her into my arms. I feel like a duck; calm on the surface, but under the water line, I’m manic. Or at least my heart is. ‘I can see right now the conversation you’re having with yourself,’ I say tapping her forehead. ‘Analysing. Criticizing. Second guessing, babe. I dare you to act on instinct, Chastity. I dare you to take a chance.’
Her tongue darts out to wet her pink lips. ‘You want me to take a chance on you?’
‘Not me, duchess. Us. What do you say?’
Her mouth is just a whisper away as she slides her hands around to the nape of my neck. ‘These brothers of yours... are they as handsome as you?’
‘Nah, they look like a hat full of arseholes.’ She laughs softly, the swell of her chest brushing mine.
