Page 77 of The Meaning Of You

“Please.” He glanced over my shoulder to the driveway. “I don’t regret a second of that kiss, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

My expression must’ve given me away because he added, “Yeah, I thought so. But believe me when I say, that was the hottest kiss I’ve had since—” He flushed. “—well, I’m guessing you know since when. I don’t regret it but that doesn’t mean it’s not messing with my head. So, yes, I want to talk. But talk means talk, notI wish it had never happened, okay?”

I wasn’t sure I believed him but I didn’t have much of a choice. “Okay,” I relented. “We can talk.”

He dropped my wrist and sighed with what I hoped was relief. “Thank you.”

By the time I got to the front door, Samuel was making his way up the path. He had a cat carrier in one hand, a box of pastries in the other, and a companion at his back. I blinked and looked again.Jerry?I spun to Nick, but he looked equally flabbergasted.

Samuel paused on the front step and nodded my way. “Madigan. It’s nice to see you again. I hope this lunk hasn’t been the usual pain in the arse that we all know and despair of.”

“He has.” I relieved Samuel of the box of pastries and waved him inside. “Nothing I can’t handle though.”

“Oi,” Nick bridled.

I ignored him as Samuel swept past and set the cat carrier and backpack on the wooden floor. “Picked you up a few clean clothes while I was at it.” Samuel leaned toward Nick and sniffed. “Holy hell. You stink like a brewery.”

Nick pulled his shirt up to his nose and winced. “Shit. You’re right.” He glanced rosy-cheeked at me but I just grinned.

Jerry moved to join Samuel, adding a clean litter tray, a bag of cat litter, and a box of cat food to the pile.

“You’reearly,” Nick grumbled.

Samuel straightened and his eyes narrowed. “Which you’d have known if you bothered answering your damn phone. I’ve been calling since the arse crack of dawn.”

Nick pulled out his phone. “Shit. It’s dead. Sorry. What happened?”

Samuel’s expression tightened. “Someone torched the caravan last night, that’s what.”

My stomach dropped and a worm of fear curled in my belly.

Nick stared at his brother-in-law, thunderstruck. “What?”

“You heard me,” Samuel griped. “Mum rang just before five when she couldn’t reach you. A neighbour called it in beforeletting her know.” The scowl returned. “We drove straight there, but the van is pretty much history. Nothing but twisted metal and ashes. The firefighters think it’s arson, said the place stank of petrol, but they won’t know for sure until the investigation is complete. Nobody saw anything until it was ablaze, of course. I knew the guy in charge and he told us to go. Said they’d be there for a while until it was safe to leave. Mum’s still the legal owner of the property so I told her to notify the insurance company and call me if she needs me. In the meantime, we wait until the crew are done with it.”

Nick fell back against the door, face pale. “And no one was hurt?”

Samuel sighed. “No, thank goodness.” He looked between us and huffed. “So, the two of you are gonna sit down and tell me exactly what the fuck’s going on. No more bullshit.”

I pointed at Nick. “You need to talk to him.”

Nick shot me a scowl. “Coward.”

I shrugged. “Your brother-in-law is scary.”

“He’s an arsehole is what he is.”

“And damn proud of it.” Samuel looked around, then wandered toward the kitchen leaving the rest of us standing there. “We’ll need to eat and talk at the same time. We missed breakfast, in case you missed that part.”

Jerry cleared her throat, her cheeks rosy. She waggled her fingers. “Hi? Sorry to arrive unannounced but—” She pointed at Samuel who was stalking my kitchen fridge. “—what he said. We did try and call.”

I gave her a warm smile. “You’re welcome any time.”

Nick’s gaze bounced between Samuel and Jerry. “That’s it?” He followed Samuel in the kitchen. “That’s the only explanation you’re gonna give for why you just happen to be with our favourite receptionist this early on a Sunday morning?”

Samuel’s steely gaze turned uncertain and I suddenly couldn’t wait to hear the answer. “It’s none of your damn business.” He glared at Nick.

Jerry rolled her eyes and headed over to join them. Three people in my kitchen. I was starting to feel antsy.

---