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T he morning of Kayla’s wedding had arrived, and she was like a kid on Christmas. I had never seen her as excited as she was at this very moment.

“I bet Ashton’s excited, isn’t he?” I smiled as I sipped my cup of tea.

The wedding was being held at an English country hotel, nestled in the heart of the countryside, the estate sprawled across acres of luscious-green lawns, framed by ancient oaks and whispering willows. The hotel itself stood proudly at the centre—a grand, ivy-clad manor that glowed golden in the afternoon light, its tall windows reflecting centuries of history and quiet luxury.

Beyond the terraced gardens, a lake lay still and glassy, catching every flicker of sunlight like it was made of liquid silver. In the distance, the faint laughter of the wedding party floated through the air, mingling with the scent of roses and fresh-cut grass.

“He cannot wait. Besides, he’s just happy that he gets to spend the day with Liam.” She sipped her champagne before leaning closer to me. “Beckett, too.”

She gave me a suspicious look, and I knew straight away she was up to something, but for whatever reason, I chose to ignore it.

“Right. I’m going to grab a quick shower. I’ll be back in about twenty minutes.”

Kayla lowered herself into the chair the hairstylist had prepared.

“Once you’re back I can start your hair.” The hairstylist smiled as she intricately began to style Kayla’s.

I hurried out of the door. Liam being with Beckett meant I could relax a little this morning. No doubt they’d be playing football around the hotel grounds somewhere.

I held the key card to my hotel room door. After hearing the lock click open, I stepped inside expecting silence, but I was greeted with the sound of running water in the bathroom.

“Hello?” I called out with no response.

I opened the door to check that the number on the other side of it was mine. I wasn’t wrong… Besides, the key wouldn’t have worked if it was someone else’s room.

“Hello?!” I called louder than before, but once again, no response.

Come on, I told myself. I had to put my big girl pants on and see who was in there.

I tried to psych myself up, but I was a bundle of nerves. Why would someone be in my room showering?

All the words I’d planned to say had disappeared as I was met by a tattooed six-foot-three Beckett. The half-frosted shower door didn’t hide much either. Water slid over him in rivulets, his muscles flexing as he washed the shampoo out of his hair, blissfully unaware that I was standing behind him, or so I thought.

“Enjoying the show, cupcake?” He chuckled as he turned to face me, the frosted glass still blocking below his waist.

“What are you doing in my room?” I asked, more flustered than I’d have liked.

“Your room?” He raised one of his brows with that boyish smile plastered on his face.

“Yes, mine!” I turned around, giving him my back and him his privacy.

“This was the room number and key I was given, so it looks like you’ve got yourself a roommate,” he said.

“No. No way is that happening.” I walked into the main room. “You’ll have to get another room.”

“Sorry, what did you say? I couldn’t hear you.” He called after me.

I felt him follow me into the bedroom, as I composed myself enough to turn around. As I spun to face him, I paused, unable to string a sentence together. He wore nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. Tattoos covered half his chest and travelled down his right arm. Small delicate objects decorated his fingers—something I didn’t pay too much attention to before. His dark blonde hair flopped down on his forehead as water droplets dripped from it.

“Em?” He smirked. Shit. Had he noticed me checking him out?

“Sorry, what?” I shook my head, regaining my focus.

“What did you say before?” He asked. “I couldn’t quite hear you.”

“Oh, just that you’ll need to get yourself another room.” I cleared my throat, keeping my mind on the right path. The focused path.

“Unfortunately, that isn’t happening. The hotel is completely booked this weekend due to the wedding.” When he smiled, I knew he was enjoying this far too much.

“Well, what do you suggest then?” I sighed.

“I can sleep on the pull-out sofa tonight. It’s just one night. Can you deal with that?”

“Alright, thank you.” I grabbed my lounge set before heading to the bathroom. “Are you done in the bathroom?”

“I am. I’m going to get Liam from Johnathon. I think the boys wanted to play football for a bit while we’ve got time.”

“The room is all yours. I’ll be with Kayla after my shower, but I can come back and get Liam ready?” I suggested.

“I’ve got it. I’ll make sure he’s ready and where he needs to be. You have some time for yourself and Kayla. Don’t you worry about a thing.”

“Thank you.” I paused at the bathroom door. “I’ll see you after the ceremony.”

Closing the door behind me, I couldn’t help but smile a little.

Once I showered, I found the room empty—but it still felt like he was everywhere. His scent lingered in the warm air, subtle and unmistakable, like a trace of something too familiar to forget. It clung to the steam, to the sheets, to the space he'd just left behind—bright with Calabrian bergamot, sharp and citrusy, like the first cut of sun through morning mist. Beneath it, the crackle of fresh pepper gave it an edge, clean but wild.

There was a rawness to it—earthy, magnetic, undeniably him. I closed my eyes and breathed it in, letting it curl around me the way he used to, the scent both comfort and ache. He hadn’t changed it. Not in all this time. It was one I loved then, and still do.

It was the same one he kept repurchasing after I got it for him one Christmas.

After standing there for a moment longer, I made my way back to Kayla’s suite where we finished getting ready for the ceremony.

“Did you know?” I questioned her.

“Know what?” She looked surprised, but then again she was a pretty good actress.

“That there were no rooms available and that Beckett would be sharing with me?” I arched my brow as her poker face never faltered.

“Nope, still have no clue what you’re going on about.” Her lips formed into a pout. “But sharing a room… It must be getting serious?”

“No, no, it’s anything but serious.” I relaxed into the chair with an eye roll. “Now, I’m not discussing this anymore. My best friend is getting married!” I clapped my hands together in delight as Kayla beamed with excitement.

As I entered the reception hall, my eyes fell on Beckett as he was already at the bar buying Liam and Ashton soft drinks. I stood there for a moment, admiring the man who was the father of my child and who was once the love of my life… Who was I kidding? He always would be. It was just different now.

As if he knew I was watching, he glanced over his shoulder before turning back to the bartender and exchanging a couple more words. I began to wander towards them when I was stopped by Kayla’s mum.

“The ceremony was absolutely beautiful.” I exhaled happily as she kissed my cheek.

“It truly was. They’re made for one another.” She sipped her champagne before continuing. “Just as you and that man over there are.”

“Beckett and me?” My face must have spoken a thousand words as she chuckled around her glass.

“Of course, you and Beckett.” She ushered me closer to her. “You mustn’t have seen how he was admiring you during the ceremony. He never looked anywhere else, or at anyone else, for that matter.”

I couldn’t help but blush at her words. I knew the pair of us still had feelings for one another. And not simple, weak feelings, but burn the world down for one another feelings.

“I don’t know the ins and outs. That’s none of my business. I don’t know how much he hurt you, but I do know that judging by the way he looks at you, he’d do whatever it takes to be with you again.” She rubbed my bare arm with her cool hand.

“Thank you, Rachel.” I stole a quick glance at Beckett who was joking and dancing with Liam as Ashton joined in. “I guess we’ll see how it goes.”

“You do that.” She teased the fascinator that sat pretty on her head. “I’ll save this for yours too.”

Without letting me speak another word or protest her last statement, she made her way to where her husband was enjoying a beer with Kayla’s brother.

“Mum!” Liam appeared behind me, catching my attention as he pulled at my arm. “Beckett got you a drink too. Are you coming?”

“Lead the way.” He clutched my hand as he walked me over to where Beckett was waiting, looking incredible in his three-piece navy suit. I hadn’t seen him look that good since his school leavers party. A party where we danced until our feet couldn’t take anymore and laughed so hard our cheeks hurt. “Beckett, doesn’t my mum look pretty?” Liam interrupted my thoughts.

“Yeah, doesn’t Em look pretty?” Ashton joined in as both kids exchanged a cheeky look with each other.

“Don’t you two have somewhere to be?” Beckett asked, arching his brow.

“Nope,” Liam replied, popping his p.

“Are you sure?” Beckett tapped his index finger on his lips. “The word ‘photos’ is springing to mind.”

“Photos! We have to find my mum!” Ashton jumped up from his chair, practically pulling Liam towards the garden where Kayla and Johnathon were having their photos taken.

I took the Malibu and Pineapple cocktail he handed to me with a smile. “That’s one way to get out of answering that question.”

“Trust me, I wasn’t getting out of answering anything. In fact…” He took my free hand in his and pulled me closer to him.

“Beckett,” I protested, looking around in a slight panic.

He gently grabbed my face, capturing my attention once more. “Eyes on me, cupcake. I wouldn’t care if a whole football stadium was watching. I plan on having you this close, if not closer, to me for the rest of the day and evening.” He didn’t falter as he spoke. The confidence oozed from him just as it always did.

“And what about Liam? What’s he going to think about that?”

“I love how you worry about our son, but when it comes to this, just stop.” He inched his face closer to mine, and I was fully aware of how we had attracted attention to us. “Liam might be a kid, but trust me when I say, I’m pretty sure he can tell I have feelings for his mum.”

“Beckett.”

“All I ask is that you just enjoy a drink and the rest of the day with me. Can you do that?”

“Alright, I can do that.” I nodded, meeting his gaze.

“Good girl, and would you look at that…” I glanced down to where his eyes were fixed on our place cards. “You’re seated right beside me for dinner.”

“Yeah, would you look at that,” I said in jest, knowing even though it was Kayla’s wedding day that she’d never stop playing cupid.