Page 28

“Everything’s fine. You… you blow me away. You’re so fucking clever, forgiving, kind, and your life…”

“My life is shitty, Mac.”

“That may be so, but you get on with it. Care for a brother who is a handful…”

He looked down at the hands resting in his lap. “I don’t have a lot of choice.”

“You have a choice, but you choose to be selfless and care for others before yourself. I know you wouldn’t tell me on the drive over here, but am I right in saying Brian beats you? You don’t have to confirm either way, but you could walk out of there and never look back. I have a feeling you stay for Logan.”

“Look, can we just get something to eat? I’m starving.” He stood, but I pulled him back down to my level and brushed the hair from his face. His soft skin was cool to the touch, but he didn’t retreat, and that gave me hope for what I was about to do.

I edged closer, my face mere inches from his. His breath quickened, and his pupils dilated, but his eyes never left mine. My lips were a hair’s breadth away.

A flick of his tongue and they were on his, a slow, tender press. He tasted sweet, like sunshine and rainbows.

Fuck, that was ridiculous, but that was how it seemed to me. He was the joy I’d been missing in my life. I took his face in my hands, wanting so much to deepen the kiss, but this was our first, and I didn’t want to ruin it.

He huffed out a small laugh as we parted. “Well, I wasn’t expecting that.” His fingertips grazed his lips.

“I couldn’t help myself. I’m sorry.” Had I overstepped? “I wanted to kiss you, to taste you.”

“No need to apologise. It might have been unexpected, but not unwanted.” We smiled at each other, excitement dancing in his eyes.

“Really? You didn’t mind?” When had I become so insecure? Probably the moment I met Frankie and had been torn about my feelings for him.

“Mind? God, no. I fancied you from the off, but I never thought you’d be interested in anyone like me.”

“What do you mean, anyone like you? You’re funny, talented, cute.”

He tucked a strand of hair behind his ear, his eyes downcast. Clearly he didn’t think so.

“Hey,” I lifted his chin with my finger. “I wouldn’t bullshit you. The first time I saw you, I knew you were someone I wanted to get to know. I think life hasn’t been great for you, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve happiness.”

“And you can give me that? Take me away from my life? I don’t want a saviour, Mac. I don’t need rescuing.”

“That’s not what I’m saying. I think we could see where this leads, spend more time together, hell, even go on a date. But it’s worth pursuing, don’t you think? It’s been a while since I’ve had a boyfriend.”

“It’s funny, you know, when Tilly said I was your boyfriend and you corrected her and said we were only friends, I felt it here in my chest. A disappointment.”

“So, it’s something you want, too?” I brightened as hope grew inside me. I sat straighter, willing it to be true.

“Maybe.” He tilted his head, a small grin on his face. “Can you get me a plate of ribs and some of that yummy potato salad?”

I laughed. “I’ll give you anything you want if you say yes.”

“Then, yes. Now feed me, Mac.”

I kissed the end of his nose, and stood, pulling him to his feet. “Come on, let’s eat.”

I took his hand and led him outside into the garden. I looked around me and, for the first time in a long time, contentment and hope filled me. My family might have been large, my brothers and sisters high achievers that often left me feeling inadequate, but I had nieces and nephews, a job I loved, and a boyfriend.

Life was good.

Frankie and I sat at the table, plates piled high with food. He tucked in, but not greedily, unlike me. I’d always had an enormous appetite, even when I was a kid, but my cupboards at home were rarely full, and I lived on shoddy canteen food and ready meals.

Coming here and feasting on this amazing food was the highlight of my week, or month, depending on when I could get here. Maybe I’d be more inclined to eat out or cook at home if I had someone with me, especially if that someone was Frankie.

I announced nothing to the family about our change in relationship status. This wasn’t social media. There wasn’t a button you could press telling people you’d gone from single to dating. This needed to happen organically. Our relationship was brand new, and I wanted it to at least have a firm footing before we told the world.