Page 165 of Even Ground

Reece kisses me so deeply, I’m pretty sure he sucks my tonsils out. “I love you too. Once the house sale is completed, the move in date won’t be long afterward. We’ll have our own home together.”

My heart swells. “That’s wonderful.”

“I think you’d be a lot happier near whanau.”

I laugh. “You remembered.”

He shrugs. “A few words, but I’d love to learn more.”

“Give it time, I’ll teach you.”

Reece nuzzles my neck, and I let out a soft moan. He stops.

“Keep going.”

“Did you tell your mom you were coming?”

I lean my head against his. “I went to see her before I made my final decision.”

“Is she okay?”

“I love that you’re worried about her.” I pull back and reach to stroke his cheek. “She’s fine. She loves the shit out of you, and she’ll kill you if you fuck this up, but she’s fine.”

He laughs. “I won’t fuck it up. I love you too much, and I adore your mom.”

“That’s one of the reasons I love you so much.”

His eyes twinkle with mischief. “I’ll give you everything you could ever want, Pania.”

I lick my lips. “Lucky that all I want is you, then.”

“Oh, you’ll get so much more.”

39

Reece

The thud of music reaches me from my bedroom near the end of the hallway.

I reach out, but Pania’s already out of bed, and I’m alone. Climbing out of bed, I pull on jeans and a T-shirt and head out the door.

As I step out into the hallway, Josh opens his bedroom door and smiles. “Morning.”

“What’s with the music?”

He laughs. “Come and see.”

The strains of “Mr. Blue Sky” by the Electric Light Orchestra come from the living room.

Delaney’s got her back to me as she swings her hips, her arms swaying in the air. Amelia wiggles around to the beat. Pania is smiling, and laughing, and dancing up a storm too.

They’re lost in their dance, and as Delaney turns, she’s got this look of absolute bliss, her eyes closed.

“Reece,” Amelia screeches, running at me and launching herself into my arms.

I pop a kiss on the top of her head. “Hey, princess. What’s going on?”

“We’re dancing.” She twirls before grabbing Josh’s hand. “Come on, Daddy.”

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