Page 17 of Loved By You

“Yes, but I haven't ordered anything,” I mumble.

“There's a note in the bag. Enjoy your breakfast,” the driver says, handing me the bags.

I kick the door shut and head for the kitchen, placing everything on the white countertop of the breakfast bar before I dig around to find the note.

Pastries, muffins, fruit pots, granola, and hot bacon rolls fill the bags, and my stomach rumbles in response to the delicious smells.I am starving.

“Oh, my God, who sent all this?” Gabbys asks as she strolls into the kitchen and takes a seat at the breakfast bar, followed by a very hungover-looking Ali. “It smells incredible. Gimme.”

I find a note at the bottom of one of the bags and pull it out.

Ria, I thought you might need a little pick me up after all that tequila. Thanks for making my night. Tequila is my new favorite drink. Don’t be a stranger… Jack a.k.a your action man.

“Oh my fucking God, is he for real?” Ali screeches. “Marry him.”

“Little problem, babe. I’m still married,” I deadpan.

“Well, pull your finger out your ass and sort that divorce, then invite action man over for another round of body shots,” she says with a grin.

The girls dive into the bags and start attacking the food like feral animals.

This is the most thoughtful and sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. I pick up my phone to send him a text.

Ria

Morning, I am so sorry about my texts last night *emoji with hands over the face* our Starbucks just arrived. You really are the sweetest. Thank you. Xx

Within minutes a message bounces back.

Jack

You're welcome, sweetheart, and no need to apologize. It made my night. I wish I could have hand delivered it but I'm stuck in meetings *snoring emoji* I mean it, don't be a stranger x

Ria

Thank you *blowing kiss emoji* Hope your meetings go ok.

Jack

Thank you, sweetheart. Have a good Sunday x

I flop down onto the stool next to Gabby and reach for a breakfast roll before I take a sip of my latte, unable to hide the biggest grin from my face. I don't know how or why Jack Lawson has suddenly come back into my life, but I am not mad about it.

Chapter Eight

Ria

1 month later

I sit in my car, taking in a shaky breath and looking into my rearview mirror.

You can do this Ria, get yourself together and get out of the car.

I am in the parking lot of my new job. My first ever real job working at a new club as a barmaid. I went to a local community college and studied music and psychology. I learned to play the piano during my time in foster care and at the youth traumagroup I went to. Music was the only thing I grasped quickly, and it became an outlet for my trauma; my escape from what was going on at home. I wanted to become a youth group leader and help teens like myself through music and talking therapy, but life, or rather Alex, got in the way of my plans. But I've made a promise to myself to pursue my dreams once the girls are a little older, and we are settled. So, for now, this job will support us and pay the bills.

I take the lipstick out of my handbag and coat my lips before fluffing my hair with my hands.

Okay, let's do this,I say to my reflection.

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