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‘I mean it, the stuff you’ve been doing – especially lately – the safety tips and debunking myths. It’s important. Particularly the stuff about first aid, and what to do with spinal injuries.’

‘You saw that?’ She blushed. ‘You got me thinking about how I should do something more worthwhile. Not taking meaningless pictures of iced coffees and balconies.’

Caleb bit his lip. ‘I’m sorry I said those horrible things. I wanted you to hate me. I thought it’d be easier that way – for me. I was being a selfish idiot.’

Hannah wouldn’t meet his eyes, but she nodded. ‘I understand.’

‘I particularly liked the stuff calling out Patrick,’ he added, hoping his teasing would draw her out of her shell.

Her lips twitched. ‘Okay, that was a teaching moment with the added benefit of revenge.’ A stray hair fell forward from her ponytail; he wanted to brush it out the way, touch and kiss her face. But did he have any right to hold her after how he’d behaved?

Unable to resist, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close between his spread legs. She pressed her palms against his chest, but her fingers clutched the fabric of his t-shirt, as if she were also grateful to feel the touch of him, even if she was reluctant to forgive him.

‘Don’t!’ she warned.

‘Please, just for a moment.’

Her body relaxed in silent acceptance.

‘I’ve never been so scared,’ he said quietly, dropping his head against her shoulder and breathing in the reassuring, citrus scent of her hair.

Her hands snaked up his chest and wrapped around his shoulders. Her cheek pressed lightly against the top of his head, and she murmured, ‘I’m sorry, Patrick is an asshole.’

‘So am I,’ he said with a sigh. ‘I was an asshole at school, and I’m an asshole now too.’

‘No, you’re not.’ She breathed out a long sigh that ruffled his hair, and his arms tightened around her waist, pulling her even closer.

‘Well, maybe a little,’ she admitted, and he laughed. She took a deep breath. ‘But watching you rush into a burning building to save me has made me rethink my previous opinions. I did want more, and I’m sorry for pushing you like that. You were always clear about what you wanted, and I’m sorry I called you a coward.’

He chuckled, raising up his head. But he couldn’t let go of her. ‘No, you were right. I am a coward. I pushed you away because I was afraid of commitment.’

‘Why?’ Hannah asked, her kind eyes seeing far more than her words implied.

‘What if what happened to Baz happens to me?’

‘You can’t think like that,’ she said firmly. ‘Anything could happen to anyone at any time.’

‘I know. But, if something like that happens. I couldn’t stand to have someone caring for me like Cathy does for Baz.’

Hannah peeled back a little, a frown of disapproval on her face. ‘I could have been hurt or dying in that fire, and you didn’t leave me. How can you expect someone you love to do the same?’

‘I couldn’t bear to be a burden. To limit another person’s life or hold them back. My mom resented me for years for doing that to her. I couldn’t bear for it to happen again.’

Sympathy softened her expression and she said, ‘Your mum was wrong to make you feel that way. Did you ever ask Cathy how she feels about Baz?’

Caleb gave a miserable sigh, as he was forced to admit. ‘No, but I know she wouldn’t leave him.’

‘Of course she wouldn’t,’ Hannah replied, as if it were obvious. ‘You can’t decide not to love someone just because it’s no longer convenient. If you really want to protect the people you care about, you need to do more to ensure you’re safe, like grow some balls and become a stunt co-ordinator – then your life isn’t in Jackson’s hands!’

‘Fine,’ he grumbled. ‘I’m gonna do it. I’ve been thinking it over, and you’re right. I should take some responsibility.’

‘You best mean that,’ she warned, but followed it with a smile. ‘I’m proud of you. You’ll make an excellent co-ordinator.’

‘Thanks, I hope the studio agrees.’

Hannah’s brow wrinkled in confusion. ‘You could get work in America, no problem.’

‘I know… but I want to be here, with you. If you’ll have me?’