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‘Bloody hell,’ she grumbled. ‘I think that’s the second heart attack you’ve given me today.’

Caleb couldn’t help but tease her. ‘It’s not my fault I make your heart race.’

He received another swat to his arm, and this time it had a little more bite.

‘I think it’s time we head back,’ said Hannah sourly, and for the first time he regretted his teasing, at least until she added, ‘We’ve a long drive tomorrow.’

They walked on, admiring the waves and the more experienced surfers braving the cold spring water.

When they arrived back at Caleb’s motorcycle, he thought it best to bring up their travel plans. ‘So, is it okay if I swing by early tomorrow?’

‘Sure, what time?’

He winced. ‘Like four?’

‘Fair enough. I’m just the passenger princess – unless you’d like me to drive for a bit?’

He shook his head. ‘No, I prefer driving. Keeps my mind and body busy.’

She tilted her head curiously. ‘I hope you don’t mind me asking, but have you ever considered that you might have ADHD?’

He nodded and then immediately felt like a fraud. ‘Well, I’ve never been properly diagnosed, but it makes sense, right?’

‘It does,’ she answered kindly. ‘I can give you some information about the diagnostic tests if you’re interested. Sometimes having it confirmed can help.’

‘Maybe,’ said Caleb, not entirely sure either way, but grateful for her lack of judgment.

The drive back to her aunt’s house was comfortable, and he was grateful he’d blurted out that he recognised her earlier. He didn’t want any secrets or bad feelings between them.

Today he’d felt as if he understood her better, both then and now. The old Hannah was still there, but he could understand why she wanted more excitement in her life.

Perhaps he could give her that?

Whether as friends or lovers, he didn’t mind either way. He was glad to be with her again, even if it was only for a short while.

Chapter Twelve

At 3.59 a.m., Hannah was waiting in the darkness with her two suitcases, backpack and essentials bag at the bottom of her aunt’s driveway. She didn’t want to disturb Sal so early in the morning, and Caleb’s gentlemanly habit of knocking on the front door worried her.

Headlights crested over the hill, and Caleb’s SUV swept towards her, the full beams dimming as soon as she was lit up by them.

‘Thanks for the early start,’ he said, jumping out of the driver’s seat and walking around the front to help her with the bags.

He didn’t make a single comment about her bringing so much with her, and she was grateful for that. She’d never been a light packer, and she was so unsure about what to bring that she’d settled on everything, including a couple of her favourite stripy mugs.

Thankfully, his big truck-like car had plenty of room; he’d already flattened the back seat to accommodate the swords she remembered from the airport. ‘You got them through customs then?’ she asked, gesturing towards the sleek black cases. She’d seen him stopped by customs as she’d left the airport and had glimpsed him showing off the frightening swords to the officers.

Caleb chuckled. ‘They always want to see them. Even with all the paperwork. I think they like to be nosy.’

‘They’re pretty cool. How did you learn?’

‘The sword?’ he asked, shuffling the cases around so that he could squeeze her suitcases in. To her relief, he didn’t grumble about her excessive luggage.

Hannah’s mouth twitched, and she said in a deep voice, ‘Yes, the sword.’

Caleb ran a hand through his mop of wavy hair with an uncharacteristic blush. She found it adorable, and her heart skipped a beat as if she were fifteen again.

Teenage Hannah would be beside herself with excitement at his salacious offer, flattered even. But that same small voice inside her head whispered a timely reminder of warning too. Out of sight, out of mind.