Page 38 of New Year, New Guy
‘Yesterday I was all fired up and I came around here full of good intentions . . .’ Johnny trailed a finger around the rim of his empty glass. ‘I’m starting a new chapter in my life in a couple of days. Maybe it’s best to leave the past alone.’
‘How do you think Polly will react when she finds out?’ Laura chipped in. ‘She will you know.’
‘She’ll be pissed.’
‘It won’t be easy,’ Hunter admitted, ‘but we’ve—’
‘—got to discover the truth.’ Johnny sighed. ‘I know.’
‘You fret about the wedding, and I’ll take this on.’
‘Aren’t you leaving on Sunday?’
‘I could hang around. The week you’re away on honeymoon gives me plenty of time to do more research.’ He caught Laura’s surprise. ‘If that’s okay? I didn’t mean to take it for granted . . . I can find somewhere else to stay if you’d prefer it?’
‘Don’t be silly.’
Her cautious smile made Hunter want to punch the air with joy.
‘I’m really leaving this time. I’ll see you both on Saturday.’ Johnny winked. ‘Be careful, mate. She’ll have a paintbrush in your hand before you know where you are.’
He’d paint the house from top to bottom if that’s what it took to make her happy.
‘Ha! I can tell by the look on your face you’re screwed.’ Johnny grinned at him. ‘A bloody lost cause.’
Hunter thought that sounded pretty damn good to him.
A few minutes later he wrapped his arms around her and discovered that Laura’s soft floral scent overcame the smell of fresh paint.
‘You were brave to come back.’
‘Did you honestly expect me to stay gone?’
‘I was afraid you might.’ Her confession made him smile. ‘My luck with men isn’t exactly stellar.’
If he brought up the subject of Kiki now Laura might misunderstand why he’d gathered the nerve to return. Tomorrow morning was soon enough to throw another challenge into the mix.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The rigid set of Hunter’s shoulders. The way his smile reached his eyes the fraction of a second after the twitching of the corners of his mouth. Everything pointed towards him keeping something from her again.
‘Somethin’ wrong?’
‘You tell me.’
‘I thought it could wait but as usual you’re right. It can’t.’ He gave a wry smile. ‘It’s not us. Promise.’
‘Then what is it?’
‘I reckon this needs a mug of hot tea to hand.’
Laura couldn’t help laughing. ‘Have we converted you to the medicinal benefits of a decent tea bag and boiling water?’
‘Sure have.’
‘Why don’t you put your things back upstairs while I’ll stick the kettle on?’ She hesitated. ‘You might as well put them in my room.’
‘You’re sure?’
