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“Oh god, would you?” Relief coursed through me. “That’d be amazing.”

“Of course. It’s not like I have a life or anything, right?” Jenn elbowed me gently. “The world of back-stabbing corporate finance can wait until this afternoon and the God-given miracle of day care. Working from home even part-time is a fu—pain with a little one.” She shot me a tired look. “But I’ll let you buy me coffee and something disgustingly sweet to thank me.”

I pulled them both into a quick hug. “You’re the best sister-in-law.”

Jenn chuckled. “Damn right. And just you… flipping remember that.”

I stepped back. “Thank you. First appointment isn’t until nine.”

“No problem.” Jenn wandered the tired but spacious room with Susie wriggling on her hip. It was empty, bar a queen bed, a single armchair, a small flat-screen television, and three suitcases open on the floor. “This is a great space,” she mused. “Plenty of light. It’s perfect for Rhys.”

“It is. He’s pretty excited about it. And put Susie down,” I tried again. “She’s too big for that now. You’ll hurt your back. I’ll watch her.”

“You’re right.” Jenn lowered her daughter to the floor and Susie scuttled to my open suitcase and began searching through it.

“I’ve only ever used up here for overflow storage.” I followed Jenn to the window. “Plus, it means my rent will halve and the landlord’s agreed to let him open up the original access from his side, so he won’t have to come through my place. I think he hopes Rhys might eventually buy the whole building from him. He’s been making noises about selling ever since the fire.”

Jenn’s brows bunched. “Do you think Rhys would be interested?”

I shrugged. “Who knows. We’re going to talk when he gets back from New York, but maybe we can pitch in together? Or maybe he’ll give me a longer lease. I’ve only got two years left on this one, and I don’t want to move.”

“Leeeeeeee, come here,” Susie called me over to admire the mess she was making of my clothes.

“In a minute. I’m talking to Mummy first.”

She pouted but went back to creating chaos on my floor.

“Is that Kip’s new car?” Jenn stared down through the window and I followed her gaze.

“Yeah. I think so.”

She turned and regarded me for a long minute. “Youthinkso. You, the man who can name almost every car and bike by just listening to its engine. And isn’t Kip’s car the reason you gave up your parking space?”

“I didn’tgive it up,” I grumbled. “There was simply no reason to take up the whole thing when I could share it.” I glanced over my shoulder at the plumber who was heading for the stairs with his phone at his ear talking to my landlord.

“Right. Of course not.” Jenn eyed me hard enough to make me squirm. “You know, I’ve always thought there was some kind of spark between you two.”

If only.I summoned my best are-you-fucking-crazy stare. “Where the hell would you get that idea? For one, Chris hates me. And two, Chris hates me. Where have you been for the last two years?” I dragged my gaze from the bright red speed machine that suited the annoying and feisty man’s temperament and made me smile every time I laid eyes on it.

“Mmm.Chris, huh?” Jenn’s shrewd gaze had my cheeks flaming. “Younevercall him Kip. It’s always Christopher, or more recently, Chris, like just now. Why is that?” She pulled a puzzled face. “You know he hates it.”

Because it makes him pay attention to me. Yeah, like I was going to admit that. Instead, I flipped her off. “Shut up. It’s none of your business.”

She grinned. “Methinks the man protests too much. You have to admit thatChrisslashChristopherslashKip—whatever name you use for him—the man is pretty hot.”

Like I didn’t know that.“He’s alsopreciselywhat I’m supposed to be avoiding, right?”

Jenn shot me a wide grin. “That wasn’t exactly a”—she made air quotes—“‘not interested’ on your part, was it?”

I scowled and turned to where Susie had my suitcase upended on the floor. “Mummy’s so annoying, isn’t she? Do you remember where we put your special box?”

Susie’s grey eyes went wide at the mention of her favourite colouring box. “Yes! Susie find it.” She scrambled to her feet and ran to grab my hand. “Come on Lee. Let’s go!”

“Just wait for Uncle Lee and Mummy to finish.” Jenn ruffled her daughter’s hair.

Susie’s pout returned, but she stopped tugging on my hand and started tracing her finger over my tattoos instead.

Jenn shot me a fond smile. “You realise she’s looking more and more like you.”

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