Page 120 of Love You Like That (Excess All Areas 4)

“And thank you, again, for talking to Nan. It’s a pretty fucking awesome feeling to know you have my back, Zoe.”

“I got to eat one of your Nan’s steak and kidney pies, so it was worth the risk.”

“Funny girl. Want to sneak behind the hospital and cause mischief with me?” He sort of meant it.

“If only we had time for that kind of mischief. But I brought you some things.”

Zoe hurried around to the boot of the car and popped it open. “You said wished you’d packed more T-shirts. So, I grabbed some from your house using the key on your keyring. And that you’d forgotten your notebook, so I grabbed that too. If you give me your laundry, I’ll wash it while you’re gone.”

His heart squeezed at her thoughtfulness. This could be what it was like. The two of them looking out for one another. “You’re the rock star. Thank you. I’ll take the stuff, but you aren’t doing my laundry. I’m a grown-ass man who can do his own.”

“When you come back next Saturday, you’re home for less than forty-eight hours. I’m home alone of an evening. I’d rather do your laundry then so we can spend time together when you’re back.”

He looked at her face, so filled with conviction. “You’re fucking special. Do you know that?”

Ten minutes later with his dirty clothes in the boot of the car, he pulled Zoe to him. “Thanks so much for doing this, coming to get Willow, and bringing me stuff I need.”

“I’d say it’s no problem, but Chaya was on a date. A fourth date. And Asher wasn’t happy that she bailed mid-way through dinner because Ben called her and asked her to drive down to get Willow. Apparently, the guy knows about Ben but isn’t totally cool with the situation.”

Alex glanced over her shoulder where Chaya appeared to be in a heated conversation with Ben.

“Look, I’m here aren’t I,” Chaya snapped at Ben, and walked around to Luke who hugged her. His brother rubbed a hand over his face, then cursed.

“Shit. He punched a dent in the tour bus the other night. I’ve never seen them at odds. Not even for a day.”

“He might need to get used to it. Chaya is determined to move on without him.”

Alex sighed. “I love Chaya. Love her for Ben. But maybe they’ve run out of road and should just let each other go.”

Zoe buried her head and tucked herself into his chest. He kissed the top of her head and wished they had time for more than just a car park handover. “God, I love you,” he whispered, teasing how the words felt in his mouth, unsure of when to tell her. It felt like the final step. But something held him back.

“What was that?” Zoe asked, looking up. “I could feel your lips moving.”

“Oh, just you girls should get going. Here.” He dipped into his wallet and pulled out fifty pounds. “You’ll need petrol I would imagine.”

“Already filled her up about ten minutes ago. I wanted to get Willow straight home, and Izabel is already moving her stuff down to their flat as agreed. Chaya and I were saying on the way down here that we might sleepover too. Make a girls’ night of it.”

He folded the bills and tucked them into the back pocket of her jeans. “Just take the money, Rocky. Grab some wine or something.”

“Fine. We should get going,” Zoe said, stepping up onto her toes and kissing his cheek. “I don’t love driving at night, but your car makes it feel like fun.”

“Yeah, well. You pay your own speeding tickets, Atkins, so go easy, yeah?”

Zoe grinned. “You’ll have to prove it was me driving.”

“Fair enough. Won’t be hard because I’ll be on a ferry to Ireland when you get caught.” He placed his palms on her cheeks. “Thank you. For coming to help my friend out.”

“I got to see you, so it was worth it.”

And as he waved her off, with Willow and Chaya in the back seat, he realised she’d given the girls a ride, even though she wouldn’t be able to join in the conversation with them properly until they were home.

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