Page 29 of The Winning Ticket

“Hey! I’m out here,” she calls back, and I follow the sound of her voice out to the terrace.

I find her lying on a sun lounger under the shade of one of the large umbrellas in her bikini, a book open on her stomach. Resisting the urge to run my eyes over her, I avert my eyes and look around at the changes she’s made here.

While the inside has remained spotless and untouched, we now seem to have acquired quite a few plants scattered around the terrace. It looks great, and I’m relieved she has at least put her personal touch on something.

“Hey. I see you’ve settled in,” I say.

“Yeah, I hope that’s okay?” she asks, looking worried.

My eyes drop to her hands, where she’s started picking at her nails once again. I resist the urge to reach over and stop her.

“Of course it’s okay, Bri. This is your home. I’m the one who just drops by now and again. I’m not going to be coming in and doing inspections or any of that shit, so please, just relax, okay?” I sit on the lounger beside hers and scratch behind Maddie’s ears.

“She likes you,” Bri says, smiling at the little dog, who is looking up at me with big brown eyes.

I swear she has an actual grin on her fluffy little face.

“Of course she does. I’m awesome,” I reply, flashing Bri a cheeky grin.

She directs her beautiful smile my way. “So, what’s the plan for the weekend?”

I shrug. “I’ve got a few things to do for Mum, and I was going to see if you were okay with having the others over for dinner tomorrow night?”

“Of course. I just assume when you’re around, they’ll be around too.”

“Ha, that makes it sound like we’re all attached at the hip.”

“Well, since I’ve been home, every time I’ve seen you, I’ve seen them, so…” She shrugs, flashing a cheeky grin.

I’m relieved that the longer we’ve been talking, the more at ease she seems, and she’s stopped picking her nails.

“Well, I’m here now, and what do you know, not one of them in sight,” I say, and even to my own ears, my voice sounds weirdly rough.

Something flashes behind her eyes, and I realise how suggestive that may have sounded.

She holds my gaze for longer than I expect, her blue eyes pulling me in, and a not-so-small part of me wonders what would happen if I kissed her right now.

I clear my throat and stand again. “I was going to make some dinner. Do you want some?”

“Whatchya gonna make me?” She’s still smiling.

I like that her playful side is coming out. I’d been worried this situation might be awkward, but she seems completely at ease.

“Carbonara.”

She raises her eyebrows. “From a jar?”

“Wash your mouth, woman. My Nonna would skin me alive if she heard you even suggest that her precious Jakey would make Carbonara from a jar!”

“You can cook?” She sounds so surprised that I’m almost offended.

“Yes, I can cook. Did you think I just survived off takeaway?”

“Honestly… maybe?” She at least looks apologetic when she says it.

I shake my head. “Oh ye of little faith, Little B. I have been cooking since I was a kid with Nonna and Mum.” I head inside, and she follows behind a few moments later, heading into her room but leaving the door open.

“I'll let you know when it’s ready,” I say loudly as I unload the groceries.

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