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“Quite right,” the booming voice of their boss, and Grace’s father, said from behind them. “My little Sweetpea deserves the best, doesn’t she?”

Caz spun around and almost saluted him.

“Yep, and I am absolutely making sure that happens.”

Ron chuckled. “’Course you are, never doubted it for one second. I see the way you look at her. I know that child of mine is as loved now as the day she was born.”

Red cheeks burned as Caz looked away.

“No need to be shy about it.” Ron laughed and slapped her on the back.

“Nah, not shy…” Caz shook her head and tried to smile, now imagining loving Grace in a far more intimate way than either of them had agreed to. “Which is why I need to be home on time,” she said, looking at her watch and then tossing the oily rag onto the counter.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Caz got home before Grace. She ran upstairs and jumped into the shower, scrubbing the oil and grease away. With a towel wrapped around her, she twisted the taps on the bath and dumped a huge dollop of Grace’s favourite bubbles. The scent of peach and vanilla instantly filled the air.

She’d done this a lot in the last couple of weeks, rushing home, having a warm bath ready, while she cooked dinner, and insisting that Grace rest, feet up and happy.

The weather was turning cooler as September edged towards October. Leaves were falling and skies were darkening, and the fire was lit most evenings. It was a cosy home, and that made it too easy to inch closer to each other.

Not that Caz was complaining.

If that was all she would ever have with Grace, she was good with it. She loved it even more when Grace would snuggle in, grab Caz’s hand and pull it to lay against her stomach, and they’d talk about the future, what the baby might look like, and names.

Caz liked Gregory for a boy. Grace had said it was far too posh, but then she picked Amelia for a girl, which Caz liked, but pointed out so did almost every other parent on the market for a good moniker for their kid.

She pushed her hand into the water, checking the temperature as she swirled it to make more bubbles. Turning,she almost jumped out of her skin when Grace appeared in the doorway. Her arms moved so quickly that the towel almost fell away.

“Bloody hell, Grace.” Caz laughed, readjusting the cotton covering around herself. “Scared the shit out of me.”

“Language,” Grace admonished playfully. “That’s a pound in the swear jar, Madden.”

They’d made a pact to never swear around the children. They’d agreed to never shout at each other, or the kids, if they could help it, and to always find kind words and ways to say things that wouldn’t end up scarring their offspring for life.

“Sorry, my bad.” She sagged a little. “Good day?”

“Yeah, got an offer on two different homes, so fingers crossed, I’ll be hitting my bonus early this month, but I am glad its Sunday tomorrow. My back aches a little.”

“That’s great, about the houses, not your back. You’re amazing.” Caz grinned.

The way Grace’s face lit up at the compliment gave Caz a thrill, and it was in that moment, she really understood something fundamental: She’d always loved Grace, like loved—really loved—not just a friendship love. It was real, deep, and connected love, that if she were honest, she’d never found with anyone else.

Her thoughts flicked back to Morgan telling her to just admit it to Grace.

But she couldn’t.

She shook herself out of it and pushed it all back down again. There was no place for such things. They were not thatkind of couple, no matter how much she might want them to be. Her eyes moved down and watched as Grace’s hand rubbed gentle circles on her tummy—something she’d been subconsciously doing a lot lately.

“So, I’ve got dinner all planned. Chicken wrapped in prosciutto and stuffed with mozzarella, with a side of olives and mustard.”

“Sounds perfect,” Grace answered, her attention turning toward the bath. “For me, I assume?”

“You assume correctly. Jump in, take as long as you like, and I’ll bring you a cup of that horrible tea you love.”

“It’s not horrible, you just need a refined palate for it.”

Caz grimaced and ducked past her.