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Aiden barely said a word on the drive back, and Mia concentrated on the roads instead. She was tired and guessed he needed the space – mental if not actual – to process the night and early morning, and everything that had happened. She also wasn’t sure exactly where she stood with him, and didn’t want to push.

He sniffed when he walked into the hallway. ‘Have you been cleaning in here?’

‘Yes. Hence the change of clothes. I draw the line at scrubbing in enchanted satin.’

‘You didn’t have to clean up.’

‘It was fine. I didn’t mind.’

‘I could have managed.’

‘Sylvie asked me to sort it and I have.’

‘Do you want a drink?’ Aiden wandered into the kitchen.

‘Sure.’ She sat at the table, suddenly feeling incredibly tired.

Aiden leaned against the kitchen counter while he waited for the kettle, and Mia tried not to be offended that it was pretty much as far away from her as he could get while still being in the same room. He folded his arms as he looked at her, studying her like he was trying to work out a puzzle.

Eventually he spoke. ‘You told me you love me.’

‘Yeah. I did.’

‘You told me I love you too.’

‘Yeah.’ She couldn’t help the small smile that escaped. ‘I did that as well.’

‘You’re right.’ Aiden was starting to smile too.

‘I know.’

The kettle began whistling, but he ignored it so Mia stood, walked over, and leaned past him to take it off the heat. He wrapped his arms around her waist, folding her into him. ‘I’m still trying to figure out if that was the best or worst timing possible.’

‘When you decide, let me know if I owe you an apology or not.’

He leaned against her, burying his nose and mouth against her hair. ‘I have a lot I need to work out.’

‘I know.’

‘I think I need to get tested. The not knowing is driving me crazy.’

‘OK.’

‘That’s all you’re going to say?’

‘What do you want me to say?’

‘I don’t know. Something more than just “OK”, I guess.’

‘OK.’ She pulled away from him a bit until she could reach her pocket for her phone. ‘How about this?’

His phone pinged, and he looked down.

Regional genetic testing team. Ask for Kev.

‘You just happen to have this saved to your phone?’

‘The first time you mentioned getting tested, I looked into the process. Not to say anything about it or to try and persuade you either way, but I wanted to make sure I could answer any questions you might have.’