Page 38 of The Winning Ticket

“Thanks, Bri. That actually sounds amazing.”

“One of the joys of having a partn – housemate, is sometimes we can share the load.” My cheeks redden as I realise my near mistake.

“I’ve never actually had a housemate before… Or a partner,” he says with an easy smile, and I want to melt on the spot.

“Sorry, force of habit,” I say, moving my hand away slowly and getting to my feet.

“Unsurprising, you guys were together for what, five years?” Jake asks, rising to his feet as well.

For some reason, talking to him about Richard doesn’t seem as hard as it does with everyone else.

“Yeah… A real prize, huh? Five years together, and that’s how he ends it?” I hear the bitterness creeping into my voice and push it aside, but Jake’s eyes soften, and he nods.

He reaches for my hand that hangs at my side, lacing his fingers through mine before tugging me closer. I resist for a moment before allowing him to pull me into a hug.

“I know you’re set on not talking about it, and that is one hundred percent your right, but I am here if you ever just want to let it out, okay?” he says in my ear, and I cling to him.

I have always felt safe when wrapped in one of Jake’s hugs. “Thank you,” I whisper, and he hugs me tighter.

We stand like this for a long time, not speaking, while he allows me to take comfort in his arms.

I finally pull away, stepping out of his arms, which drop to his side. “Okay, dinner. You chill out here with a beer or something, and I’ll get dinner sorted.”

He looks at me for a moment before nodding. “Aye, aye, captain. Steaks are in the fridge.”

I leave him and Maddie out on the terrace and head into the kitchen, resolutely pushing all thoughts of Richard from my mind while I connect my phone to the sound system and put on my upbeat playlist. While preparing the food, I glance out the window and watch Jake throw Maddie’s toy for her.

How is this guy real? I know for a fact that he has all the qualities that most women look for in a boyfriend, and yet, somehow, he is still single. It is a mystery, and I hope that when he finds that person, I can keep him in my life. After rediscovering his friendship, I am selfish enough not to want to lose him again.

Once I’ve finished pan-frying the steaks and preparing the salads, I take our plates outside, and Jake joins me at the table.

“Hopefully, this meets your culinary standards,” I say, watching him take his first bite while I chew my thumbnail.

“Bri, any meal I don’t have to cook for myself is great as far as I’m concerned,” he replies with a grin when he looks up at me. His eyes narrow, and he reaches over to gently move my hand away from my mouth. “But this is great, thank you.”

We chat over dinner, and the relaxed atmosphere continues through the evening. I open a bottle of wine, and we move inside to continue chatting on the couch.

“So, what’s on the agenda this weekend? Is everyone coming over tomorrow?” I ask.

“Actually, no. I have no set plans this weekend,” he says with a shrug, and I raise an eyebrow.

“Really? Do the others know you’ve come home?”

“Nope. Only you.”

I mull over these words for a moment. “So, you’re not doing anything tomorrow?”

“No, why?” he asks.

“Well, I was planning to wander around with my camera tomorrow. I’ve meant to get it out and play with my new lens, and I need more content.”

“That sounds fun. I can be your assistant. What time were you thinking?” He sounds far more enthusiastic than I expected.

“Well, I was going to try to go early to get the morning light, but you probably need to sleep in after a busy week. We can go a little later,” I say with a smile.

“No, I’m good with early. I don’t sleep in much these days. So, like 5?”

“Ha, no. I was thinking 7?”

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