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She nestles against me and releases a deep, shuddering sigh. “I missed you.”

“I should have stayed in touch. I should have been there for you.”

“It wasn’t your fault. There’s nothing you could have done.”

But that’s not the point. True friendship isn’t just about sharing the same interests and going to parties together and having fun. It’s about being there when the other person is suffering, even if there’s nothing you can do. About listening to them and comforting them.

I thought I was doing the right thing—giving Jayden a chance to fix his marriage without getting in the way. Instead, I abandoned her when she needed me most.

Vix clears her throat and moves back a bit. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

She wipes her face. “I don’t understand the appeal of a woman covering herself in plastic wrap.” She smiles; she’s trying to lighten the mood.

I decide to help cheer her up. “I guess it’s supposed to add spice to the marriage.”

She looks genuinely puzzled. “It would just make me red-faced and sweaty.”

I shrug, holding her gaze. “Some men like that.”

Her eyes flare. “Mitch!” She doesn’t seem to know whether to be amused or shocked.

Once or twice, when our eyes have met, I’ve been sure I’ve seen a reflection of the attraction I feel for her. But neither of us have ever acted on it. Not once in all the six years I’ve known her have I ever revealed how I feel about her. She was married to a man I used to consider my best mate.

And she still is, I remind myself, even though they’re separated. I don’t know all the ins and outs of it. He’s still Millie’s father. And there’s a chance they might get back together. I can’t stand in the way of that.

“Sorry,” I say. “Come on, let’s get out of this hellhole. I feel as if I need to be sprayed down with disinfectant.”

I close the sliding doors and lock them, then lead the way down the stairs. After closing and locking the main door to the flat, I breathe a sigh of relief as we walk back through the bookshop to where Rudolph is just finishing serving a customer. He smiles at the woman as she takes her purchase and exits the shop, then turns to us.

“How’d it go?”

We both hesitate, looking at each other. “Well…” Vix says slowly.

“It was awful,” I admit. “An absolute mess. It looked as if he’d raided all the libraries in the country and packed everything into boxes.”

Rudolph’s eyes widen. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. I don’t know where he got all the books, or why they were just sitting in his flat. But it’s going to take some serious sorting out. If I can bring myself to go back in there…” I give a little shiver. “I’m not sure I want to do that, now. Maybe I’ll try the Rose.” The boutique hotel is where I’ve stayed in the past.

“It’s fully booked,” Rudolph informs me. “Someone came in half an hour ago and mentioned it. It wouldn’t surprise me if there are no vacancies anywhere in town. The place is packed because of the music festival tomorrow.”

“Ohhh…” I could kick myself. The festival takes place every year, and people attend from all over the Northland. “I didn’t realise it was this weekend. Dammit. I should have booked somewhere.”

“You should stay with us!” Vix beams. “We’ve got one spare room left, right Dad?”

Rudolph looks at her. Then he looks at me.

“I’ll find somewhere else,” I say softly. “I’ll sleep in the shop if I have to.”

“What? Absolutely not.” Vix has taken charge, uncharacteristically bossy. “You’ll stay in our spare room while you’re sorting out the shop and the flat. It’ll be fun, and Millie will love you being there, won’t you?” She hugs her daughter as she runs up to her.

Millie looks delighted. “You’re staying with us?”

“Looks like it,” Rudolph says.

“Honestly,” I say to him, “I don’t have to—”