Page 46 of Happier Days

‘I’d better be on my way. Two o’clock tomorrow?’

‘I’ll be here.’

‘Goodnight.’ He kissed her gently on the lips this time. ‘I’ll watch you in.’

She gave him one last smile before walking away and, at the entrance to the hotel, she turned and waved.

Jack waved back and then hitched Graham onto his lead. ‘Come on, fella. Let’s go home.’

Ava let herself into her hotel room, removed her coat and boots, and then flopped backwards onto the bed. She couldn’t wait to get inside it, but for now all she wanted to do was think about the evening.

She could see why people came from far and wide for the lakeside events. She’d had so much fun, and there were a lot of faces there that she had seen during the week.

But the thing she’d enjoyed most was seeing Jack with the kids, as he called them. It was no wonder they all wanted to stay over. She could imagine him cooking them breakfast in the morning, creating a lot of mess, singing at the top of his voice or making them laugh. He was a natural with them, and it was good to see.

A longing shot through her. She wished she was waking up next to him tomorrow, so that she could join in with them all.

No, actually, what she wanted to think about wasthatkiss. She hadn’t been expecting it at all.

Okay, scrap that. She’d wanted it to happen but wasn’t certain how Jack felt about her until then. Would it complicate things now? After all, it was very different to when they'd kissed in their teens.

She was getting ahead of herself, she was sure. But just the touch of his lips had set her body on fire, feelings flowing through her that she hadn’t felt in a long time. All she wanted was to do it again.

But they were work colleagues, too.

Only during the week.

She laughed, trying to justify that the moment hadn’t meant much. And then she thought about tomorrow. Would it be awkward or be more of the same thing?

His house might be empty tomorrow night.

She changed into her pyjamas, knowing that it was going to take her a long time to drop off. The bed was huge with just her in it, plenty room for two. But this was one place where Ava wouldn’t feel comfortable sneaking Jack into. Could you imagine if he was caught by a member of his family?

She picked up her phone to send Georgia a quick message only to find one from Jack.

I feel like that seventeen-year-old boy again. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.

She grinned as she replied.

Me, too.

You feel like a seventeen-year-old boy? ;)

Goodnight Jack.

Night x

Ava put her phone down, realising it was late to call Georgia. She’d be too giddy anyway, and that wasn’t something she wanted to share with her daughter just yet.

Her heart was in the mood for love, but really, how would this evening change things? She hoped it would move things forwards.

Because she was ready for it in any sense of the word.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

The next morning, Ava opened her eyes, stretching out in the bed as she yawned. She switched on the lamp, the bedside clock telling her it was nearly half past seven. So much for not being able to sleep. She’d gone out like a light again as soon as her head hit the pillow.

After a dreamy five minutes remembering the events of the previous evening again, she quickly showered and went for breakfast. She wanted to take some photos while she had the morning to herself.

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