Page 159 of Push

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Do you think you can just forget about me?

Avoid me?

Pretend you didn’t take everything from me?

I didn’t think twice.

I took a screenshot of the messages and sent them straight to the detective with the sunburnt nose.

Yes, Kayleigh Roberts, I absolutelywillforget about you.

I’d fanned the picnic blanket out on the grass, the rows of red plaid neatly spread out and covered with enough lunch to feed an army. Noah had already stuffed himself with blueberries and was showing off his best ninja rolls, desperate to get his little paws on the juices and sandwiches I’d bought.

God help us when that kid learns to crawl.

He was fast and determined—the best of me and his perfect mum.

When I finally spotted Gwen walking up the path, I jumped up, waving. She hit the grass with a grimace. Her heels sank, and she wobbled a bit, left then right, trying to figure out how to cross with a bit of dignity.

I jogged over and crouched beside her. I tapped her foot. Her gaze whipped down, surprised, but I reassured her with a smile.

“Shoes off,” I commanded softly.

Gwen lifted her foot. I slipped off her heel, and then we repeated the dance. She was barefoot on the grass, and maybe I let my fingers trace the soft curve of her ankle a little too long, but I couldn’t help it. Every bit of her was so…lovely.

I cleared my throat. “Finally,” I declared dramatically. “It’s time to fulfill my knightly duties!”

“Your wha—?” Gwen squealed when I surprised her by scooping her in my arms bridal-style and shuttling her across the grass. “Put me down!” She wriggled, but it was no use. She was all mine for now. “People will see!”

Like I cared. “No one’s even here.” I shushed her. “There’s just some inked-up dude in a suit and an old lady with a yappy dog.”

Gwen gave me the stink eye when I carefully dropped her on the blanket. Noah was already demanding cuddles, and he tugged himself up, arms around her neck, burbling laughs when she lifted him to blow a raspberry on his belly.

I dumped her shoes, and after I pointed across the park to distract her, I popped a kiss on her cheek.

Shy, she ducked her head. “Toby…”

“Sorry, not sorry. Be glad we’re still protecting my virtue, my lady, otherwise…” I teased her with a raised eyebrow.

“You’re terrible, you know that?”

“Yes. I am Tobias the Terrible. And I’ll pillage your…”

Er…

Well, I hadn’t thought that through. Nothing clever popped into my mind, so I winked, and Gwen filled in the blank all by herself. She flamed red all over. I loved when she let her guard down like that. Only I got to see that side of her.

“I wasn’t expecting you to be so…” Gwen motioned at the suit—minus the jacket and tie I’d ditched on the front seat of the car hours ago.

“Dressed up? Yeah. I had to put on a good show. I went to a job interview this morning… Well… Sort of… Remember that clinic I was telling you about?”

“The one in Randwick?” she asked.

I nodded. “I went for a meet and greet this morning. The facilities are modern, and everyone’s super chilled out. The owner’s keen for me to start. A lot of their patients are kids. I’ve always worried my hands are a bit big, but he saw me chatting to some families in the waiting room and thought I’d be great at it.” I shrugged. “For some reason, kids like me.”

“For some reason, huh?” Gwen smirked. “Maybe because you’re a bit of a big kid yourself.”

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