“Reuben does. Don’t get me wrong. I wished for a long time that he could get free of you.”
That stings for some reason. “Why?”
“Because he was going to waste his life on you, and you would never even have known. It was a very lonely existence, and I never wanted that for him. He’s funny and grumpy and too kind for his own good. I wanted more for him—a life and someone who could love him back.”
“And now?”
I release a breath as he smiles at me. “Well, I’m sort of getting the impression that you’re here to stay. Is that true?”
“I love him. And I shouldn’t be telling you that, because it’s private. I don’t know what form our future will take, but I know I want mine to be with him.”
His smile becomes very bright. “I’msoglad.”
I look out of the window to the bottom of the garden and repress a smile when I see Reuben attempting to catch Bernard, who is patently not in the mood for a bath. The puppy has evaded him, setting up camp on the lawn, and every time Reuben gets close, he barks and scampers away, obviously considering this a delightful game.
Nevertheless, Reuben is being endlessly patient. It’s a part of his kind nature that I love. I have always felt safe with him. I have a sudden wave of love towards him that nearly brings me to my knees. And suddenly I know what I need to do. I lean forward, tapping my fingers on the counter. “I need you to tell me.”
Grey blinks. “Tell you what?”
“The truth that Reuben’s covering up. What happened that day?”
He licks his lips, suddenly nervous. “I can’t tell you. That’s Reuben’s secret. He’ll tell you.”
“I don’t want him to,” I say simply.
“Why?”
“Because it will hurt him, and I don’t want him to be hurt anymore by me.”
“Why will it hurt him?”
“Because he’s going to tell me something that will upset me. I want you to do it instead.”
“And yet you still want to know? Why?”
I sigh. “Because I want him back and I can’t have him free and clear unless we face the past.”
“You’re a singular young man.”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“I am.” He hesitates. “I hate to come with the protective old friend routine, but I need to know that Reuben is it for you before I do anything.”
I look at him steadily, letting him see my resolve. “I know that he’s mine, and I have so few things that are that. I willalwayslook after him.”
He sighs. “Okay. After all, I never promised him exactly, did I? I just nodded, and that’s not a binding treaty.”
My mouth twitches despite my sudden nervousness. “I like a man who recognises a technicality when he sees one.”
He reaches into a drawer and sets a key in front of me. “Take that.”
I blink. “Is it the key to a room of Reuben’s secrets?”
He snorts. “You’re very dramatic. It’s the key to the Airbnb. If you’re going to reconcile with Reuben, I’d rather it wasn’t over my kitchen counter. I need to get the dinner on.”
My lip twitches, and I take the key, sliding it into my pocket. “Thank you. So?” In spite of my brave words, my belly is churning.
He taps his fingers. “I’m not sure where to start.” He seems to come to a decision. “Okay. That week, I was supposed to be meeting Reuben at the hotel. I cancelled when something to do with work came up.”
