Page 78 of My Mistake To Make

Well, that sounds nice.

I smile, nodding my agreement as he lowers again, and this time, soreness be damned, I wrap my arms around his neck and let him know he’s exactly where I want him to be.

I’m happy.

That’s the only thought in my mind as I sit next to Doug in his truck, and he drives us toward wherever he’s taking me. The sun is high in the beautiful blue sky, music we both love is playing from the car stereo, and my hand is in his, his fingers linked with mine and resting on my thigh, calm, casual, bloody lovely.

He seems so different today, more relaxed. His shoulders have loosened and dropped a little, and there’s a mischievous sparkle in his eyes and a lift at the corners of his mouth. Is that because of me? Is he happy too?

As if he can hear my cogs turning, he glances my way, his soft smile now a beaming grin, and my heart skips in my chest. God, he is beautiful.

‘What are you looking at?’ he asks, still grinning.

‘I was just wondering about you.’

‘Me?’ He concentrates back on the road.

‘Yeah, just wondering why you’re smiling so much today.’

‘Ah,’ He checks his mirrors, then turns the wheel and pulls into a car park I hadn’t seen coming, then into a space, and stops the truck before turning to me. ‘I’m smiling so much today because there’s this girl who has been driving me wild for weeks, and today, I get to hold her hand and kiss her without worrying about a damn thing. I’m smiling because I’m happy.’

My matching expression lets him know the feeling is mutual, and he nods to the door.

‘Come on. You have a toilet to pick out.’

I laugh and follow him out of the truck. Shopping for a bathroom suite may not sound like the most romantic thing in the world, but I’m giddy.

‘This one?’ he asks, smirking, and I glare at him.

‘It’s green.’

‘It’s… avocado. Avocados are fashionable.’

I laugh. ‘Not in my guest bathroom.’

‘Boring.’

It’s been like this the whole time. He’s been playful, silly, and fun. A side I haven’t seen. I’ve seen the grumpy arse I couldn’t seem to stop thinking about and the caring, sweet man who was desperate to apologize to me and who set up a beautiful first date in my home. I’ve seen the sex god who knows exactly how to make me see stars, but this, the funny, playful man trying to encourage me toward the bright pink bathroom suite, like aglamourous assistant on a nineties TV gameshow, he’s new, and he’s wonderful.

‘How’s your chicken?’ he asks, a playful soft smile on his lips. One that’s been there all day.

‘Delicious,’ I say as I steal a fry from his plate, and he glares at me.

‘I’m enjoying today.’ He grins, and I nod.

‘Me too. You’re fun.’

‘Why do you say that with surprise in your eyes?’ He laughs and takes a bite of his burger.

‘Because you were so grumpy when I met you.’

He suppresses a laugh as he swallows, then picks up his napkin to wipe his mouth.

‘Well, I hadn’t had sex for years. I was backed up.’ I laugh loudly now and pick at the remnants of my fried chicken. ‘Truth is, I have been pissed off for a really long time. Since my dad died, I guess. It got back on track for a while when I left town, and then Bo happened, and I’ve been dealing with Jessie’s bullshit for so long, back in a place I didn’t want to be, not doing the job I wanted to do. It ate at me, and I only had enough patience to hold it together when Bowie is around. Not that I have to try around her.’ I can’t help but swoon at the expression on his face, so full of love for his wee girl. ‘She’s the only good thing I’ve had for so long.’ He reaches over and pinches my last onion ring, then winks at me. ‘Now, I have you.’ Yes, you do.

I’m contemplating how to respond when Doug’s phone buzzes on the table, and I glance down in time to see Jessie’s name just as he scowls and snatches it up to read the message.

‘Fuck’s sake,’ he growls, and I pull on my jacket.

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