I love his smell. I love the way he feels. I love everything about him. And I’ve tried hard these past few weeks not to admit that to myself.
‘I’ve brought somebody to meet you.’
I pull back. ‘Oh?’
Smiling, he looks to his right. I follow his gaze. ‘Oh!’ I say in surprise, because there’s a tall, older man with a kind face and grey hair standing in the middle of the living room.
‘Serenity,’ Jake says. ‘I’d like you to meet my maternal grandfather, Art Mackabee.’
‘Hello, Serenity,’ the man says, and holds out his hand.
I go to him and shake it. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr Mackabee.’
‘Please, call me Mac. Jake’s told me a lot about you.’
I grit my teeth. ‘Not all of it good, I’m sure.’
‘On the contrary, he told me about your predicament.’
I sober. It used to be the only people who knew about my arrangement with Kale, were Kale, myself and my father. I used to be so ashamed of it. Jake made me see that none of this has ever been within my control.
I nod my head. ‘I’m kind of in a tight spot,’ I say, as my throat constricts.
He has kind eyes. ‘Serenity, I’m a lawyer. I specialise in defending those who have been dealt… shall we say a lousy hand by their employers. Did you bring the ledger you talked to Jake about?’
‘Yes,’ I say. ‘Oh, but I left it in the car.’
‘Could we get it?’
Jake holds out his hand. ‘D’you have your keys?’
I fish around in my pocket. ‘It’s on the front seat,’ I tell him as I hand him the key.
Jake goes back out into the rain. Mac indicates that I should have a seat. ‘If you’ll excuse me for getting straight down to business. Perhaps you could start with how your father first came to know Kale McCoy? And then perhaps tell me as much as you know about Mr McCoy himself.’
I nod my head.
‘How long do you have?’ Mac asks.
I offer him a smile. There’s something reassuring about his character. ‘My shift begins at eight. I’ll need to be gone from here by seven.’
He checks his watch. ‘Then we have two hours. Jake brought us takeout.’
‘He’s thoughtful like that.’
‘He certainly is.’
‘Were you a football player?’ I ask.
His eyes crease at the sides. ‘I was. Though we didn’t earn as much money back in those days. Your boyfriend is much more talented than I ever was.’
I giggle. ‘Nobody’s ever called him my boyfriend before. Not to my face.’
Having him called that gives me a warm sensation in my stomach. At that moment, the door to the cabin opens again and Jake dashes back inside, water from the rain cascading off his jacket. He takes out my ledger, which is pressed inside to keep it dry.
‘Do you think he is?’ Mac asks me.
We’re both looking Jake’s way. His brow is furrowed. ‘What?’ he questions.
