Page 73 of Where the Heart Is

‘Or what about this?’

He lowered his head to nuzzle her neck, scattering goosebumps all over her.

‘Or how about this?’

He trailed butterfly kisses along her jaw, seeking her mouth, finding it, and when his lips pressed against hers, she knew what she had to do.

‘You make me happy, Jack Hayes,’ she murmured, against the corner of his mouth. ‘And if you show me your bedroom, I’ll prove exactly how much.’

Jack lifted his head to look her in the eye and when she saw the glint of desire in his steady gaze, her heart soared.

‘You know, there’s an advantage to all the yelling and airing of dirty laundry from fourteen years ago.’ She cupped his cheek and brushed her thumb along his bottom lip.

‘What’s that?’ he growled and nipped her thumb.

‘The make-up sex.’

Jack didn’t need to be asked twice.

CHAPTER

44

It didn’t surprise Mila that when she woke the next morning, Sawyer had already left. His note said he had to scope out some land in Kaniva and would probably need to stay overnight, but she knew better.

He was running scared.

Revealing his ADHD diagnosis to her had been a big deal and she thought it had been incredibly sweet. She’d been lamenting how stupid she’d been in trying to fool people into believing her marriage to Phil would be real, and he’d revealed how he’d felt stupid every day growing up. His admission hadn’t surprised her, as she’d already guessed in their teens, but citing it as one of the main reasons he’d left town did.

Many people, some in their thirties and beyond, were getting diagnosed these days. The perceived stigma had dwindled with increased knowledge. Yet she had a feeling Sawyer still hid it, as she was one of few people he’d told. Over a snatched dinner of cheese toasties—she hadn’t felt like whipping up a stir-fry—Sawyer had revealed that even Will didn’t know, and it made her cherish the trust between them even more.

They’d had a solid friendship growing up and she never would’ve imagined they’d share this bond so many years later. She could depend on Sawyer and vice versa. Considering she rarely let anyone get close, this was a big deal. And after another sensational night in her bed, it made her wonder.

Where did they go from here?

Because at some point during her self-talk that they were indulging in a friends-with-benefits kind of fling, she’d developed feelings. Strong feelings, the kind that made her wish they didn’t have to end when he inevitably left town.

Thankfully, Gran’s arrival put an end to her mulling, but when Mila opened the door and saw Addy beaming at Jack as he tooted the horn and waved, she realised she may have something else to ponder: her grandparents’ relationship.

‘Good morning, sweetheart.’ Gran pecked her on the cheek. ‘How are you?’

‘Not as good as you, apparently.’ Mila raised an eyebrow. ‘You and Gramps look awfully chipper.’

‘We’re morning people, you know that.’ Gran’s cheeks flushed crimson as she bustled down the hallway towards the kitchen. ‘Now, how can I help with planning this ball?’

As Gran flitted around the kitchen, moving between the kettle and the sink, appearing lost, Mila laid a hand on her arm. ‘Gran, it’s okay for you and Gramps to be happy.’

Addy visibly deflated as all the tension drained out of her. ‘It’s been a long while. I’m still getting used to it.’

‘So you are? Happy, that is?’

Gran nodded, her eyes shining with joy. ‘We had a good talk last night.’

By the second blush in as many minutes stealing into her grandmother’s cheeks, Mila hazarded a guess they’d done more than talking. Ew. She didn’t want to go there.

‘I’m glad you’re getting along so well.’

Mila hesitated, not wanting to burst her gran’s bubble of happiness, but needing to ask the obvious question for Gramps’s sake. ‘What happens when you leave?’

---