Page 37 of Happier Days (Family Life in Somerley #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Later, walking back to his house, Ava hadn’t felt so happy in a long while. How had she missed so much fun in her life? Jack made her smile, like she’d found someone to care about her again. Oh, her heart was going to be in for a battering if this didn’t work out, because she was smitten already.

Graham greeted Jack as if he’d been gone for months and then gave Ava some of his attention.

‘Park your butt down on that stool and I’ll do you an after-lakeside-event special.’ Jack unravelled his scarf and hung it up with his coat.

‘What’s that?’ She passed over her outer wear for him to do the same.

‘It’s when I’m in charge of everything. You can sit back and watch and wait. Although, to be fair, I’m usually cooking English breakfast for the kids, singing at the top of my voice, or generally making a prick of myself.’

‘And there was me thinking that you were such a professional businessman.’

‘As if! How about a mug of tea and a cheese toastie?’

‘You sure know how to spoil a girl.’

Ava sat on a stool, and rested her chin in her hands while she watched him work. She loved how the banter was so easy between them. There was sexual tension in the air, but it was more an anticipation of what was to come.

Jack passed her the food and drink and sat on the stool next to her, Graham at their feet waiting for any crumbs or titbits.

‘I feel like I’m on holiday,’ Ava said once they were fed and watered.

‘You are today. I’ve given you an official day off.’

‘It’s Saturday!’ She slapped his arm playfully. ‘You know what I mean.’

‘I do.’

The tension rose as they looked at each other.

Jack reached up and placed a hand on the side of her face. ‘I’m so glad you came into my life again. It’s taken me an age to find someone I feel this much for. I think… I’m falling in love.’

Ava stared into his eyes, seeing lust in them. Maybe a bit of longing, too.

It was surely reflected in her own.

He brought his lips to hers, and she thought of what she’d have been doing if she was in London, not having been given this project. It was fate that their paths had crossed again.

But it would also be hard to maintain a relationship if they only got to see each other at the weekends. It wasn’t far to commute, but it wouldn’t be the same as all the time. Waking up and going to sleep every night with him.

Ava had fallen for Jack, too. Yet she felt vulnerable telling him, showing her true feelings.

She had to trust someone, though, and Jack was here for her.

‘Would you like to stay the night?’ he asked, breaking into her thoughts. A slight nervous laugh following. ‘I know it’s early in the day, but I need to know.’

She nodded shyly. ‘Yes, I’d like that. A long time to wait, though.’

‘You mean there’s no time like the present?’

Ava raised her eyebrows in reply.

Jack stood up, took her hand, and led her out of the room.

The afternoon was spent in bliss. It was strange to make love to someone other than Giles and exciting to learn everything about another man’s body.

They were gentle with each other and in no rush.

Afterwards, they sat downstairs a blanket wrapped around them while they watched rain falling through the picture window. It was getting dark now, eerily so.

‘They reckon it might get warmer next week at last.’

‘Shame. I’d quite like to be marooned here,’ Ava conceded. ‘Rather than go back to the bull.’

‘The bull?’

‘Brendon, he’s an idiot to work for. He likes giving us work late so that we have to stay behind to do it.’

‘That’s pathetic.’

‘I know, but what he doesn’t realise is we’re so used to our jobs that we get lots of things finished in readiness for him giving anything to us.’

‘Clever. If you worked for yourself, you wouldn’t have to put up with idiots like that. I meant what I said about designing my book covers, and if they’re as good as your work so far, I could probably get you some freelance work doing more.’

‘That would be a dream come true.’

‘So what are you waiting for?’

‘My nerves and self-doubt to disappear.’

‘You need to believe in yourself more. I do.’

‘Well, I’ll give it a go,’ she replied. ‘Thanks for the vote of confidence.’