Page 52 of Reckless Knight (Knight's Ridge Empire 7)

JODIE

Everything is good. For the first time in a very long time, I actually feel a trickle of hope in my veins that things might just turn around.

Mum is improving. The dark shadows still linger in her eyes, but just like she promised Brianna, she’s trying.

She was already up and dressed when I got back on Sunday morning after breakfast with Toby, demanding I tell her everything about the night before. Obviously, I didn’t quite do that—I’m not sure she’d have appreciated listening to my tale of Toby fucking me against the tiles in Bri’s bathroom. But I gave her enough to ensure she knew we had a great night, and her smile damn near lit up her entire face when I explained about Toby taking me for breakfast.

I haven’t mentioned a boy to her in… years. Probably since school. But despite not having a clue if Toby and I were actually going to be anything, I felt that it was the good news she might have needed.

Her words that followed have lingered in my mind ever since. “If he took you for food the next morning, then he’s a keeper.”

I smile as I mindlessly make some coffee for a customer.

I haven’t seen him since Sunday. I wasn’t expecting to, and he made no promises for what might be to come for us, but we’ve messaged a few times. Whenever I find his name staring at me on my screen, butterflies take flight in my belly and excitement fills my veins. I haven’t felt giddy over a boy for years, and despite it only being a few days, I’m already addicted to the high.

I can only hope he’s experiencing something similar and the next time we’re together it’s full-on electric. It’s been a few days now. I’m more than ready for a little time with him again.

“Jodie,” a familiar voice says as I spin around with the coffee I was making.

Lifting my eyes, I find a smiling face staring back at me.

“Sara,” I sing, rushing to put my customer’s coffee on the tray before I spill it, and I run around the counter, throwing my arms around her shoulders. “When did you get home?”

“This morning,” she says in my ear, holding me just as tightly.

“God, I missed you,” I sigh.

“You too. It’s so good to be home,” she says, releasing me. “Are you due for a break soon?”

Glancing at my watch, I see she’s in luck. “Ten minutes. Go grab a seat, I’ll make you a drink. Usual, yeah?”

“Yeah,” she says, a soft smile playing on her lips and happiness filling her eyes.

I watch her walk over to one of the vacant sofas in the window as contentment settles around me.

Sara’s my oldest friend. We met at preschool and were pretty much inseparable until she left after year eleven, preferring to attend a local college for vocational courses while I stayed on for sixth form. We never lost touch, though.

She’s since moved across town to live with her boyfriend, and the two of them took off right after Joe’s funeral to spend six weeks and the holidays in Australia.

We’ve spoken often, and she even threatened to return early when I told her what had happened to Dad, but I refused to allow her to ruin her trip because of it.

There was nothing she could do to fix the situation, and I’d rather know she was enjoying herself than drowning in my tears.

The ten minutes until my break drag as my excitement to hear about all the things they’ve been doing first-hand gets the better of me.

When Paula finally comes over to relieve me for my break, I’m more than ready to catch up with my friend.

Grabbing a sandwich from the fridge, I rush over with two fresh coffees and fall down beside her.

“You look so good,” I say, taking in her bronze tan. “I’m so freaking jealous.”

She smiles at me, her own excitement obvious, but I don’t miss the sadness and concern in her features.

“How are you doing? And I mean, really doing. I know you’ve been fobbing me off in your messages.” She quirks a brow and I groan.

“Things have been tough, but I didn’t want you worrying about me while you were off having the time of your life.”

“It doesn’t matter where I am, Jojo. I’ll still worry.”