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“She’s fine. I’m so sorry about this morning. She’s not normally like that. She’s latched onto you a bit, that’s all.”

“Yeah, I know. Vix… I was thinking that now the music festival’s over, maybe I should find somewhere else to stay.”

“Oh.” I swallow hard, trying not to let my disappointment show on my face. “If this is because of the way she behaved…”

“Of course not. All kids have tantrums. No, I don’t want Millie to become too attached to me, that’s all. It’s just going to make it harder for her when I go.”

The thought of walking into the kitchen tomorrow morning and not finding him sitting at the table suddenly hurts far more than it should. He’s right, though; I know he is. Millie’s already becoming attached to him, and I can’t blame her. I’m becoming attached too. I know I am. I don’t know what would have happened if my dad hadn’t interrupted us last night, but I really, really wanted Mitch to kiss me.

He looks up then and meets my eyes. “And… honestly… staying under the same roof isn’t helping me, either.”

My heart bangs. Is he saying… he feels the same? “No,” I whisper. “God forbid we should let anything happen.” I can hear the touch of sarcasm in my words.

His lips curve up a fraction, and his gaze drops to my mouth. “Don’t tempt me.”

“Frodo?” I moisten my lips with the tip of my tongue. “One kiss to rule them all?”

He huffs through his nose, still looking at my mouth. “Stop it.”

“I’m not doing anything. I’m just standing here.”

He lifts his gaze back to mine, half-amused, half-exasperated, and we study each other for about ten seconds.

“I should get to work,” he says eventually.

My spirits slowly drift back to earth. “Of course.”

He hesitates. Then, without saying anything, he picks up the bags he brought in with the cleaning products and heads upstairs.

I walk back into the middle of the room, finishing off my coffee. I think you’d be amazing, he said. I’m not used to compliments like that, and it was a lovely thing to say.

For so long, I’ve felt as if I’m playing a part in someone else’s play. I’ve spent the past five or so years being a wife and a mother, and I’ve enjoyed much of it, despite all the issues Jayden and I had. But for the first time, I’m being offered a way to take control of my own life. Yes, running the shop would be stressful at times, but I have plenty of people around me to help. The challenge feels exciting, and my spirits lift again.

I have no control over people. My mother died. Jayden left. And Mitch is going to leave too. I want to have something in my life that’s mine, that can’t be taken away from me.

I think about Mitch, and that look in his eyes that never really goes away. He said he doesn’t want to stay at the house because of Millie, but I know he means me too.

Staying under the same roof isn’t helping me either…

He is attracted to me. I know he is. And I also know he’s not going to make a move on me. He’s putting Millie first, and he’s also thinking of me. I’m sure he doesn’t want either of us to get hurt when he leaves.

But does it all have to be hand-wringing and deep and meaningful? I spent years hoping my husband would eventually want me again, and he never did. I’m neglected and lonely, and I love the way my heart leaps when Mitch looks at me. I’m only twenty-six. Is it impossible to think we could have a… a fling or something, before he goes?

And now my mouth has gone dry. Jesus. I’d never be brave enough to suggest that in a million years.

Sighing, I go back to the boxes of books and get back to work. They won’t unpack themselves, and I still have a long way to go.

Chapter Fourteen

Mitch

About an hour later, Bear turns up with a large toolbox, and Vix sends him up to me. “Had a job cancelled,” he says, “so I thought I’d pop over and fix the leak in the water tank.”

“Oh terrific.”

We go up in the loft and sort the leak together, and he checks the insulation and makes sure there are no signs of rats. Then we go back down and close the hatch.

“Have you got five minutes?” I ask.