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‘Anything.’ He meant it. He couldn’t think of a single thing he wouldn’t tell her.

‘How long ago did you set it up?’

‘The animal’s social accounts? A few weeks after I got here. Long before you and I . . . happened, if that’s what you’re asking.’

‘It was. So you’ve been working on this for a while.’ It wasn’t a question, but he nodded anyway. ‘Can I ask you something else?’

‘Like I said, anything.’

Her smile was like the sun coming up. ‘Would you please kiss me? I’ve really missed you.’

‘I thought you’d never ask.’ He pushed her hair gently back, tucking it behind her ears so he could stroke her cheeks and tilt her face up. He leaned in slowly, wanting to savour the moment and make it perfect. If he got what he really wanted, this would be the last time he kissed someone for the first time ever again.

He kissed her, brushing his lips gently against hers, before she parted her lips, welcoming him into the heat of her mouth. One of her hands slipped around his neck to pull him closer, while the other tangled in his coat.

She murmured against his lips, drawing him in closer, and he lost all track of time, losing himself in her touch. When he eventually broke away to catch his breath, she was quivering in his arms.

‘We should go inside, you’re cold.’

‘In a minute.’ She ran her hands through his newly shortened hair. ‘There’s something I want to say first.’

‘Yeah?’

‘Yeah.’ She smiled at him again, making his stomach clench deliciously. ‘You’re not the only one who fell hard, Ryan. I love you.’

‘I love you too.’ Her lips found his again, kissing him sweetly and warming him through.

She pulled away slowly and looked up at him. ‘Tell me again.’

‘If I do, will I get my extra chance?’

‘Maybe. Try it and find out.’ The look she gave him was full of mischief.

‘I love you, Angel.’

‘Yeah, you can have your second chance.’ She grinned. ‘Or third. Whatever.’

‘I won’t mess this one up, I promise.’

‘I believe you.’ She wove her fingers through his. ‘Come on, it’s getting really cold.’

‘I know it’s probably too late for Christmas, you’re bound to have plans already . . .’

‘I do.’ Angela nodded as they walked towards her home.

‘So do I.’ He slid his arm around her shoulders. ‘Family stuff. But . . . what about the thirty-first? I’d love to welcome in the New Year by kissing you.’ He kissed her fingers. ‘Because if it’s OK with you, I plan to be doing a lot of that next year.’

Again, there was that mischievous smile he loved so much. ‘I think I’d like that.’