by Wendy Smith
“Me too.” He grins. “The next time Cody Johnson says he’d like to fuck you, I can smack him for saying that about my girl.”
My mouth falls open. “He said what?”
“Doctor Scott is so popular with the boys. They all think you’re hot.” James presses a kiss to my temple, and I snuggle into his chest. “But you are mine, and they can all bugger off.”
I laugh, taking a deep breath. This place really is paradise. I’m looking forward to the day when I can escape the city and go somewhere where I can think.
And to having James by my side all of the time.
“I love this house. Do you think if I hide here, they’ll ever find me?” I ask.
James laughs. “I’d have to sneak in to see you.”
I drape my arms over his shoulders. “I like that we don’t need to sneak around anymore.”
James closes in on me, and presses the most gentle kiss on my lips. It leaves me wanting to cry.
This is the man I’m supposed to be with.
“If you two have finished canoodling out here, dessert’s ready.” Drew’s voice is full of amusement.
“If that’s the condition, we might skip dessert.” James laughs.
“Oh, little brother. You do have it bad.” Drew grins. “You’ve got good taste, though, so I’ll forgive you. But seriously, you don’t want to miss this.”
It’s not just one dessert; there’s a selection. Pavlova, chocolate mousse, the richest-looking chocolate cake I think I’ve ever seen, and then there’s fruit and cheese.
I take a breath. I’ve always been the type to find space for dessert, but today, I don’t know where to start.
“It’s a bit overwhelming,” James says.
“Might have to have a bit of everything.” I pick up a plate. After filling it, I return to my seat.
Amelia squeals as she gets a small plate in front of her with some fruit. It doesn’t take much to keep the kids happy.
“I’ll show you your room after dinner if you’re staying.” Sonya smiles at me.
“What? They get to sleep in the same room? Remember when I first came here and you gave me a separate room to Hayley?” Drew laughs.
“Really?” James asks.
“Sonya tried to set Hayley up with some guy the same day Hayley brought me here to meet her parents.”
Sonya blushes and laughs. “That was a long time ago.” She takes a sip of her drink. “And, for the record, we love Hayley’s choice.”
“I should hope so.” Hayley leans against Drew. “I love my choice too.”
“We even made two beautiful grandbabies for you.” Drew holds his hands up as if exasperated.
James shakes his head, and I laugh softly. “Drew, stop milking the guilt,” James says.
“I’m allowed to make the most of it.”
“He’s always like this.” James directs the comment to me, but out of the corner of my eye, I can see Hayley nodding.
“I’m not sure Drew will ever get over it.” Hayley plants a kiss on Drew’s temple.
“If I get hugs and kisses every time I mention it, I might have to talk about it more often.”
“Don’t you dare.” She grins, pecking him on the lips. “Now let’s get stuck into this food. It looks amazing.”
The bedroom is beautiful.
There’s what looks like a king-sized bed against the far wall, covered in cushions. To the left is the en suite, and I gasp when I walk in.
A spa bath sits in the corner, more than big enough for the two of us. On the side is a bottle of bubble bath, along with shampoo and conditioner.
“I know I joked about it, but do you think they’d notice if I just moved in?”
James joins me in the bathroom doorway. “Woah. I would have been here a lot earlier if I’d known it was this nice. I’ll ask Sonya if she can adopt me.”
I laugh, burying my face in his chest. “This is exactly what I needed after today.”
“Me too. It’s perfect.” He pauses. “Let’s go back down and have that hot chocolate David said he’d make before having a bath.”
“I like that idea.”
James runs a finger along my jaw and raises my chin so my gaze meets his. “And then I want to go to bed and just hold you.”
“I like that idea. I’m so glad we’re here.”
He nods. “I am too. I thought today was going pretty well, until …”
“Me too. Oh, I know there was gossip, but next week everything will be back to normal.”
“I punched Cody. Before word gets back to you about that.”
My mouth falls open. “What?”
“He said a few things he now regrets. Garrett saw it. Tried to turn Cody against me, but Cody basically told him where to go.”
I swallow. “That might not have helped the situation.”
“If I’d thought for one second he was going to go after you, I would have gone straight home and told Drew to meet me there.”
Tears prick my eyes. “You two showed up. And that was all I needed. You were there for me, are there for me.”
“Always,” he whispers. “Isn’t that what love’s all about?”
I grin, and he kisses me. I know that he’ll kiss me all night if I need it.
And that might just make everything better.
We walk down the stairs hand in hand and into the living room where Hayley’s parents sit.
“Drew and Hayley are bathing the kids, but I’ll go and get that hot chocolate I promised if you want it,” David says.
“David makes the best hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles,” Sonya says.
I smile. “Sounds amazing.”
“Is the room okay?” Sonya asks.
“It’s gorgeous. Thank you so much,” I say.
“You’re welcome. We’re happy to have you here.”
I want to cry at how happy I am. To be part of such a big, loving family is wonderful.
36
Corey
Everything feels settled.
I’ll admit it’s a little weird to get up and go to work every morning, but Tim’s a good employer. He takes care of his staff, and everyone gets along.
The best part is coming home to Constance. With every day that passes, she copes a little better. The routine is easier for her now, I think because she’s not constantly looking over her shoulder and worrying about taking care of me. She can focus on Eli and herself.
I don’t mind coming home and cooking dinner either, and once I got that through to her, the pressure on her seemed to ease. If the baby needs feeding right as I get home, then that’s what he gets.
My evenings are spent with her in my arms, or Eli, as Constance grabs some sleep. This new arrangement works well for all of us.
There’s just one thing that makes me restless.
I want Constance to be my wife.
Every day I see that engagement ring on her finger, and it’s not enough for me. I made a promise to her father that I’d marry her, and I’m not a man who breaks his promises.
I put my sleeping son to bed and walk back into the living room. We’ve had a great weekend.
Constance gives me a sleepy smile. It’s been one of those days when Eli has just wanted to feed and feed. If he grows up to be anything like me, he’ll go through a lot of growth spurts. But instead of freaking out and getting stressed, Con is handling it all like a pro.
“Let’s get married.”
She cocks an eyebrow at me and lifts her left hand. “I thought we did this? Have you got another ring for me?”
“No. I mean, let’s get married as soon as possible.”
“Clearly I’m really tired. I thought we were doing that anyway?”
I laugh. “It takes three days to get a marriage license. We know what we want to do. Why don’t we go and apply tomorrow, and get married next weekend?”
Constance stares at me like I have two heads. “Now you want to rush?”
“You know me. When I want to do somethi
ng, I do it.”
She laughs. “I know, but …”
“I happen to know that Lily made you a dress. And it’s time for you to show me.”
“But there’s no time.”
“Sweetness, we can do it. I’ll get Lily and Ginny on the case and we’ll be sorted. Where do you want to get married? I thought the cove was nice for Drew’s wedding.”
She laughs. “There’s no stopping you is there, Corey Campbell?”
“Not when it comes to you.”
37
Mia
Coming home is like crashing to Earth.
But James and I get stuck in, and by Saturday evening, the kitchen and living room have been tidied and vacuumed, and everything Garrett trashed is in the bin.
After our amazing meal on Friday, we eat pizza on Saturday. On Sunday, we go shopping and buy our own crockery. At least the house can feel more like us now.
It’s with a heavy heart that I go to work on Monday. But I was right. The class is back to normal, and I have to confess that I like the chatter today instead of the quiet whispers.
It’s the longest day ever though, and I head back to my office when lectures are finished to tidy up a few things before I go home.
It doesn’t take long to get everything done.
“Have you got a minute?”
My teeth grate as I hear Garrett’s voice. He’s leaning against the frame in the open doorway of my office. “I do, but you’re not supposed to be talking to me.”
He nods. “I know. I’m sorry for what happened, Mia. I got carried away.”
“That’s what you used to say when you yelled at me. Minus the apology.”
His Adam’s apple bobs as he just stands there, staring.
“Maybe it was inevitable that you’d reach that point, Garrett. I just hoped that you wouldn’t.”
He nods. “I volunteered to take anger-management classes. The court will probably order them anyway, but I just wanted to say how sorry I was.” Garrett licks his lips. “I love you so much, Mia, and I’m sorry.”
“I appreciate your apology.” The old me might have felt bad about the discomfort written all over his face, but not now. I spent years feeling like I wasn’t good enough for him when the truth was the opposite. He was never good enough for me. “If you’ve finished, Garrett, I’m going home.”
With a stiff nod, he takes a step back.
“And I would suggest that if you want to talk to me again, you do it through your lawyer. We’re so done.”
For the first time in a long time, there’s emotion in his eyes. Real emotion. He’s sad. But I’m not about to cave in any way. Garrett deserves everything that’s happening to him.
“Okay.” He takes a step back, and with a final look, disappears down the corridor.
I shut down the computer, and pick up my bag.
James is at home waiting for me, and if I know him, he’ll have cooked dinner.
Before him, I didn’t know what I was missing out on.
I’ll never take what we have for granted.
I love coming home.
This house was always cold when Garrett and I lived here together. The atmosphere was always bitter and prickly.
It’s been warm and welcoming since James has been here.
James stands in the kitchen, watching over the cooktop when I arrive. His whole face lights up with happiness.
I walk through and drop my bag on a dining room chair.
“Hey.” He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me to him.
I linger on his lips. “Hey, yourself.”
“Good day?”
I nod. “Very. You killed that last assignment. I got your marks back today.”
He grins. “At least the university know I wasn’t getting good marks for sleeping with the teacher.”
Slapping his chest, I laugh. “They knew that before. You were achieving a long time before I came into your life.”
“Then it just backs up how good you are at your job. I’m still learning.” He lets go, returning to the cooktop.
I bite my bottom lip. “Garrett came to see me.”
James’s eyebrows knit. “Really? I thought he was supposed to stay away from you.”
“Yeah, he is. He apologised. All it did was make me more angry.”
James pinches my right shoulder, rubbing my neck with one hand. “Are you okay?”
“Just frustrated.” I sigh. “He waited until his words didn’t hurt me, you know? Where were all those apologies when he told me how useless and pathetic I was?”
James wraps his arms around my neck, pressing a kiss to my temple. “He was an idiot. I promise you’ll never get any of that crap from me.”
“I know. You are a million miles away from him.” I turn my head. “I’m so grateful that we found each other.”
“So am I.”
“Can I ask you something?”
He turns. “Always.”
“Are you sure this is what you want. I’m what you want?”
“Mia, I—”
“Let me finish. You’re so young. I’m seventeen years’ older than you. I know we’ve talked about this, but I can’t start a family now. How are you going to feel when you’re thirty being with a nearly fifty-year-old?”
His lips curve into a smile. God, how I love that smile. It lights up the room with youthful enthusiasm. “I’ll still love you. You are everything I’ve ever wanted. Nothing else matters to me as long as I have you.”
“No regrets?”
“Zero regrets. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, Mia Scott. And one day, I’ll make you Mia Campbell, if I have anything to do with it.”
My heart leaps. I want to be with James so much, and I want this to be a long-term commitment. I hadn’t thought about marriage. “I like that idea.”
“Really?”
I lean closer, hooking my arms over his shoulders. “I like the idea of everything with you.”
He grins, and I get closer so I can kiss him. His eyes are so full of love, and his heart is on display. I love this. This is what a relationship should be like.
“By the way, Corey and Constance have set the date,” he says.
“Really?” I smile.
“I hope you don’t have any plans next weekend.”
I gape at him. “What?”
“Apparently Corey’s sick of waiting. They went and applied for the license today and they’ll have it by the end of the week. They’re getting married at the cove with the reception in Dad’s backyard.”
I grin. “That’s beautiful.”
“So, I figure we head out of town on Friday, and come back Sunday.”
Nodding, I wrap my arms around his neck and hug him tight. “I’d love to. Those two are impulsive, huh?”
“Corey is. I’m not too sure about Constance, but they’re so in love I think she’ll be over the moon.”
I let go of him, and he searches my face.
“What?” I ask.
“That’ll be us one day.”
38
Mia
There’s only one other person I need to tell about James and me being out in the open: Kelly. I haven’t seen her in forever.
She’s back in the country, and while I was falling in love with James, she had her own hook-up and break-up story. But now I get to update her on my love life. It might take a while.
“Mia.” Her tone is so warm when I call her. It makes me miss her all the more.
“Hey, Kelly. I wondered if you would be interested in a catch-up.”
“I’d love to. When?”
“If you’re free, tonight. Come around for dinner. James is cooking.”
“I’d love to.” She sounds excited. And I’m glad. I’ve missed her. “So, is it all official or are we keeping this a secret?”
“It’s official.”
She squeals. I love this woman. She’s genuinely excited and happy for me, and I don’t have enough people like that in my life. “How a
re things going with you?”
She sighs. “I’m by myself again, but you know that. I just want someone nice, you know?”
“Oh, I know.”
“Anyway, I must go, but what time tonight?”
“Does six-thirty sound good?”
“Sounds wonderful. Can’t wait.”
Neither can I.
She’s at my door with a bottle of wine and a huge grin at six-thirty.
“Come in.” I step back as she walks into the kitchen. “James is just getting changed.”
Her expression tightens as she looks at me. “Who hit you? It wasn’t your new man, was it? Because if it was, we are getting out of here, and he’ll wear this bottle.”
“No. It was Garrett.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “What? Really?”
I nod. “He didn’t take the news about me declaring a relationship very well at all. Came ’round here, trashed the house, and got really upset.”
“I can’t believe he hit you.” She huffs. “I mean, I knew he was a prick, but I never thought he’d get physical.”
“Me either, but it happened. He tried to brush it off when the police came, but—”
“Wait. Stop. You called the police?”
“James did.”
She shakes her head. “James called the police. What was he doing when Garrett hit you?”
“James wasn’t here. He and his brother Drew showed up when I was arguing with Garrett. He’d already hit me. James called the police while Drew took care of me. He’s a doctor.”
Kelly holds her hands up as if in surrender. “It all sounds like a crazy time.”
“It has been.”
James walks into the kitchen, a smile on his face. “Is this Kelly?”
Kelly turns. Her mouth falls open as she looks James up and down. It probably helps that he’s in dark jeans and a dress shirt. Mouth-watering.
“Nice. Mia said you have a brother?” She sounds hopeful.
I laugh. “He has four. And they’re all taken.”
Kelly sighs. “Shame. Maybe a younger man is what I need.”