Page 95 of How Good It Was (Excess All Areas 3)

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“I’m not going to lie,” Luke said, as he parked the Jaguar F-Type in front of his mum’s. “Hiring this instead of taking the van was a genius idea.” He kissed her cheek. “Thank you.”

“Call it a late birthday present.” Willow grinned as she undid her seatbelt. “You deserve some fun, Luke.”

She’d bounced on her toes with excitement when she’d told him what she’d done, and he realised he’d felt special. Which was such a stupid word for a grown-arsed man. But it was true. Willow had done something utterly unexpected, for him, because she’d wanted to ease his burden. It had felt foreign to accept the thoughtful gift. So had feeling ... treasured.

They’d roared down the motorway listening to classic rock songs, with the windows wide open. He’d sung, she’d tried, and they’d laughed, taking his mind off what they were about to do.

Taking her on every surface in the hotel the night before had also helped.

Now, the loud engine sounded out of place on the small cul-de-sac. Luke killed it, and the sound of cawing seagulls took over.

“Stay where you are,” Luke said, before getting out of the car. He walked around to her door and opened it, before helping her out.

“Thank you,” she said.

“I want to ruin that lipstick of yours,” he muttered, pressing a kiss to her cheek instead.

“You can ruin it when we get back to the hotel.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.” She pecked his lips, then ran her thumb over them to remove her gloss.

“Tease.”

“Luke,” his mum cried, and he looked over at the front door of her home. Her dark bob swung as she beamed at him. The smile seemed out of place, his lasting memories of her were of her being sad.

“Mum,” he said. Instead of being happy to see her, he felt the awful grip of panic in his throat. Maybe that was what happened when you decided to confront an absent parent.

“I was so pleased to get your text.” She reached out to hug him, and he stepped awkwardly into her embrace. Even in her boots with a heel, she still only came to his chest. “It’s good to see you.”

Awkwardly, Luke patted her back.

“Come in. Come in. Kevin is… well, your step-dad’s at work.”

Relief flooded him that it was just his mum in the house. “Mum, this is Willow. My girlfriend.”

He was grateful that Willow’s bump wasn’t immediately noticeable.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Bryson.”

“Oh, it’s Mrs. Garrett now. But please, call me Shelley.”

Hearing her use a different name to him, to their father, stung. Anger began to bubble in his chest.

Shelley led them into the house, a cosy bungalow, and gestured to the sofa. “Take a seat and I’ll make a brew. I just made myself one, so the water’s hot.”

“Oh, not for me,” Willow said. “Thank you.”

“Something else? Water? Juice?” Shelley hovered, slightly anxious.

“No, thank you.” Willow sat on the sofa. “We just had breakfast at the hotel, and I’m full.”

“Hotel? You could have stayed here.”

Luke sat down next to Willow. Close to her, so he could feel the warmth of her. “We’re fine, Mum. Won’t be here long.”

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