Page 117 of Worth the Wait
Freddie cocked his head. “Dangerous game. Then all you’ve got left is your personality.”
“Which, thankfully, is as strong as the abs.”
Freddie pulled a face. “Hmm. Debatable.”
Reece blew him a kiss.
“Reece! Got your order!” Mandy yelled from behind the counter.
Reece threaded through the crowd to grab his takeaway. Before leaving, he turned to Nathan.
“Glad you sorted it. The two of you.” He pointed between them with a gloved finger. “You’re welcome, by the way. The pining was painful.”
Freddie snorted. “Says you. I know you weren’t referring to me as the arsehole there.”
“Keep it buttoned, Webb,” Reece shot back. “Still got dirt on you.”
Freddie pressed his lips together, shaking his head with a reluctant grin.
Reece looked to Nathan. “Staff.”
“Reece.” Nathan extended a hand. “If that bike ever needs a proper tune-up, you know where to find me.”
Reece shook it, firm and steady. “That I do.”
With a nod, he left the shop, put his bag of chips in his bike box, then swung his leg over.
Nathan eyed Freddie. “So… what exactly are these secrets he knows, then?”
Freddie opened his mouth but was saved by the arrival of a whirlwind on wheels.
Tilly zipped in, tugging on his hand. “Is this your new boyfriend, Uncle Freddie?”
Freddie wiped his mouth and laughed, scooping her easily into his arms.
“Yeah,” he said, glancing at Nathan with an easy smile. “And no. He’s also my old boyfriend.”
Nathan tipped the borrowed cap on his head and grinned. “And this time, he’s staying.”
Tilly stuck out a hand towards Nathan. “Nice to meet you.”
Nathan shook it.
“But remember what we said…” She balled her fists, giving him a few playful jabs to the arm, growling under her breath like a cartoon villain. “If you hurt him, I’ll punch you in the willy.”
Nathan winced. “Fair warning.”
Freddie snorted, burying his face in her curls. “She means it. I taught her.”
Nathan laughed. Cause this was everything. Freddie, holding a child like it was the most natural thing in the world, standing in a chippy where their teenage ghosts still lingered in the corners.
He could’ve missed all of this.
Could’ve let fear call the shots, the way it always used to.
But he hadn’t. Not this time.
Outside, Alfie came barrelling back up the promenade on his skateboard, hoodie flapping, wheels clacking along the pavement. He skidded to a halt by the window and glanced in.
