Page 67

Eventually, he lifts his head again. “He’s offered me a job.”

Jesus, how many times is my jaw going to drop this evening? “What?”

“Covering maternity leave next year.”

“Oh.”

His brows draw together. “I’d be crazy to give up a permanent position for one covering maternity leave.”

“Of course.”

“With the current economic climate being the way it is.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

“I made the break,” he says helplessly. “I did what was best for everyone.”

A tear runs down my face, and I brush it away hastily. “I know.”

He sighs. “Don’t cry.”

“I’m sorry.” My voice is a squeak.

He gets up, puts down his drink, and comes over to the sofa. He sits beside me and pulls me into his arms. “I’m so, so sorry.”

I cuddle up to him. His body is warm through his tee, and he smells amazing after his shower. I lean my head on his shoulder. “It’s not your fault.”

“It’s nobody’s fault. It’s just the way it is.” He rubs my back.

We sit there as the sun slowly sinks toward the horizon, brushing the lawn with gold. The smell of the roses and jasmine in Dad’s garden wafts over us with the warm breeze.

“Summer’s coming,” Mitch murmurs.

“Yeah.”

“And Christmas.”

“Yeah.” I look up at him.

He lifts a hand to brush my tears away. “I’m glad you’re going to buy the shop.”

“Thank you for believing in me.”

He strokes his thumb across my bottom lip. His brows draw together, though. I can only imagine what’s going through his mind at the moment.

“Maybe we shouldn’t think too hard about it,” I say. “Perhaps we should concentrate on the here and now.”

“Mm.” He looks at my mouth. “Can I kiss you?”

“I think I’ll die if you don’t.”

That makes him laugh. He brushes his thumb across my lip again, smiling. Then he lowers his head and kisses me.

His lips are warm and dry as they move across mine, slow and gentle. I’m holding my wine, so I can’t lift my arm around his neck. Instead I just let him kiss me and enjoy being close to him.

Eventually, he lifts his head, then bends forward and picks up his whisky. “To here and now.”

“To here and now.” We touch our glasses together and take a sip.