Page 15 of Only Ever You

He smiles widely, and it reaches his sparkling blue eyes.

“Pippa.” His warm tone washes over me, and my heart calms a little. I always wondered what it would be like to see him again. Would he still be angry? Would he blame me?

“Deacon. It’s good to see you.” It’s hard to smile. Why is it so hard to smile?

Maybe because this whole thing is awkward.

“Hey, Rochelle. Mind giving me a minute with Pippa?”

Her gaze flicks between us, and she nods. “Sure. I’ll just wait outside and walk you back down when you’re finished.”

I meet her eyes and give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. “Thank you.”

Her brows knit as she turns before she closes the door.

Deacon rounds the desk until he’s standing in front of me. I can’t meet his gaze. I’ll melt into a puddle on the floor if I do.

“Hey, Pipsqueak.”

My lips part, but nothing comes out.

He raises his hand and tucks a lock of hair that’s escaped behind my ear.

His smile’s so open and welcoming. A far cry from the last time I saw him.

“Miss me?”

“I thought I could handle this,” I whisper, biting my inside cheek to stop myself welling up.

“It’s good to see you,” he says. “Are you going to come and work with me?”

I shrug. “I didn’t think you’d want me to.”

“Are you kidding?” He grasps my chin and pulls my gaze to meet his. “I can trust you to keep me in line, can’t I?”

I blink rapidly, my smile still hiding from him.

“Seriously, Pip. I read your CV. You’re perfect for the job and I get to see my girl every day. What could be better?”

He pops a kiss on my nose and lets go of my chin.

His affectionate action releases the tension, and I grin. “You’re weird.”

“That’s nothing new.” He laughs—laughs, and I’m really not sure what to make of him after all this time.

“The last time I saw you, you were angry with me.”

Deacon cocks his head. “I was angry with the world. My family had just been torn apart. But it’s been twelve years, and I’m glad to see you. Even happier if I can make you get me coffee.”

I roll my eyes, and he laughs again.

“There’s my girl. Start tomorrow?”

“We haven’t talked about a start date.”

He grabs my hand. “Well, I am. Come in a little later, maybe ten o’clock, and we’ll go for morning tea. You can catch me up on your life.”

“So … I’ve got the job?”

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