Page 33

Jack

Willow returned from her self-defence class vibrating. She spoke of the instructor, Mack, and how he’d set up a gym with the intention of supporting victims of abuse or struggling with their mental health and confidence. She was in awe of him, and rightly so.

On a high, she even told me about some of the self-defence moves he’d shown her.

Most importantly, she’d made a friend. I was proud of her, forging new relationships in her new found freedom. They showed her that there was a future.

Her buzz continued into the evening, where she insisted on making Nana Jean’s famous lasagne with added chorizo.

She talked constantly, barely pausing to take a bite of her food or sip of her lemonade.

I listened to every word, keen to hear all about her experience and blossoming friendship with Mack, proud to hear how she deemed it a sensible financial decision to pay for individual sessions, even if they were pricier.

I agreed, the price was unimportant if she could replenish her self confidence.

She was convincing me of the financial implications when I stopped her.

“Willow, you don’t need to convince me that this is a good idea. Your money, your decision.”

She paused, as if she’d never considered that. Then her face split into a huge grin as she scooped ice cream into separate bowls.

The buzz even lasted as she got ready for bed, chattering away in the bathroom as I stood in my walk-in wardrobe changing for bed.

I’d had to buy more loungewear since sharing a bed with Willow.

If it was remotely appropriate to share a bed to prevent her nightmares, it absolutely wasn’t appropriate to remain in my underwear or naked while lying next to her, even if I overheated every night.

I’d discovered within the first few nights that Willow’s body was a furnace.

It was the only downside to sharing a bed with her. Aside from my desperation.

I completed my bathroom routine and entered her bedroom after a quick knock on the door .

Willow was in a retro Newcastle United T-shirt, and pyjama bottoms, sitting cross-legged facing me, with the head and body of her faithful fluffy cow.

Her skin glowed. But the best part was the goofy grin that was plastered on her face as she watched me move to the bed.

I spoke as I pulled back the duvet cover and edged myself underneath.

“Smiling suits you.”

Her grin expanded. “My cheeks hurt, but I can’t stop.”

“We’ll have to find a remedy for that, because I never want you to stop.”

I lay on my side facing her, resting my head on my palm. Her smile faltered as she considered my words, before her eyes dropped from mine to my arm, and then – and then she started to blush. She dropped her head to hide it, but I saw it. Was Willow Thornton checking me out?

I glanced down at the area she’d looked out, finding my bicep sticking out of my black T-shirt. Interesting. I tried to hide the smirk that revealed me mentally preening my feathers, I’d never admit how smug I felt knowing that I might have flustered the Willow Thornton.

Pretending I hadn’t caught her eyeing me up, I changed the topic.

“I like your T-shirt.” She looked down at the vertical faded black and white stripes, brushing the material down as if to keep it neat.

“Thanks. It was my mum’s. She was a huge Newcastle United fan. She didn’t leave much, but it’s my favourite thing, especially to sleep in. I try to keep it for only the nights when the day has been good.”

She smiled fondly, touching the team badge with care, lost in a memory. My heart warmed at the implication in her words. She was wearing the T-shirt – today was good.

“Tell me about her.”

She looked up at me, surprised at the request, then relaxed with a content smile.

“She was the best. We used to have bacon butties in our pyjamas while watching reruns of Heartbeat every Saturday morning. My hair used to be wild, if you think there’s too much now, imagine it on someone half the size.

Every day, she’d sit me in front of the mirror in her bedroom, reciting positive affirmations with me while plaiting my hair into whichever style I asked for.

” A small wrinkle formed between her brows as she frowned.

“I don’t think the affirmations worked in the long run. ”

“What affirmations did she use?”

“Oh wow, it’s been so long,” she looked to the ceiling in search of a reminder, “I am loved and appreciated, I can do hard things, I am enough, I am a good friend… that kind of thing.”

“I’d say it’s definitely worked in the long run.

” She stared at me, blinking through the silence.

“You have done extremely hard things, you are more than enough, an amazing friend. And I can assure you that you are absolutely and unequivocally loved and appreciated.” A blush crept up her neck further, reaching her ears.

She was adorable, and I wondered how else I could get her to blush.

“Thanks, Jack.” We smiled at each other. She wiggled her body, and both parts of Angus under the bedding, pulling it up so it lay just under her rosy lips.

I reached behind me to flick the table lamp off, until we were shrouded in darkness. For the first time since I’d brought Willow to my home, fear didn’t linger in the night’s shadows.

“Jack?” her voice breathed out, and I swear to God, if I hadn’t mentally checked myself there and then, I could easily have pulled her body into mine and fulfilled my biggest desire based on the huskiness of her voice alone.

I moved my gaze to hers, where I could make out glassy shimmers for her eyes.

“Yes?” I breathed back, my heart pounding after my previous thoughts.

“Today’s been a great day.”

“What do you wear after a great day?” I whispered into the darkness. After a short silence, she replied.

“I don’t know, I haven’t had many great days to have an item worthy of the occasion.”

“There’s so many great days ahead of you, one day your wardrobe will be overflowing.”

She breathed out a soft laugh.

“I appreciate your optimism.”

“It’s called a positive affirmation, I’ll have you know.” She giggled and my stomach somersaulted.

I shifted onto my back and made myself comfortable, pushing the covers down my chest and flicking my right leg out to stay cool next to the human radiator that was Willow.

“Night, Willow.”

“Night, Jack.”

I closed my eyes with a smile plastered on my face, and began to drift off, feeling lighter than I had in weeks.

“Jack?” a small voice broke the silence.

“Yeah,” my voice croaked in its sleepy state.

“I don’t think my buzz from today is going to stop.”

“What will help?” A silence followed while she thought about it.

“Will you hold my hand?”

Fuck. We had crossed over so many irresponsible lines, I couldn’t see them anymore, but I was incapable of denying Willow .

I shifted my hand into the middle of the bed, where the duvet cover met the pillows until her soft, warm hand peeked out from underneath. Her hand clasped mine, and a little spark shot through my fingertips.

“Did you feel that?” I whispered, turning my head to her.

“I did, my buzz is infectious.”

I chuckled at her sweetness, desperate to kiss her skin, but refrained.

“Sleep, sweetheart. You’ve got great days ahead. You’ll need your rest.”