Page 118 of Versions Of Us

He pulls me down onto him and kisses me again, this time with more urgency, his fingers trailing their way upward to my breasts. Warmth shoots up my spine as he drags his lips over my collarbone, the heat between us escalating, as though we’re both afraid that life could change in an instant.

We both know now how easily it can.

Henley’s phone alarms from the bedside table. “Shit. I have to go.”

“No. It’s still early. Stay with me a little longer,” I complain as I snuggle into his chest, my grip tightening around him. I wink at him cheekily. “I need a replay of last night.”

Henley lets out a groan, as though he’s in physical pain. “I wish I could, but we have a delivery arriving at the tavern in half hour and I told Dylan I’d handle it.”

He pulls me in for one last embrace, his lips grazing my forehead.

“But it’s your day off,” I protest again.

He lets out a long sigh before launching out of bed, reaching for his light grey trackpants on the floor below. “I could hardly say no when I live there.”

“Fair enough,” I say, reluctantly tossing the covers back. “I need to get ready to go to the Haven anyway.”

I’m thankful to only be working a quick four-hour shift today. Yesterday had been a busy one. I’d spent most of the day at uni, then worked the afternoon at the helpline. Today, I plan to get my responsibilities out of the way early so that Henley and I can continue making up for lost time.

“Meet me at the tavern after your shift?” he asks.

“Can’t wait,” I say.

He curls an arm around my waist and presses one last kiss to my mouth, leaving me standing there wondering how we

both got so lucky to be given this second chance.

I shower and make a quick call to my mum. So much has happened since our last conversation. It feels like forever ago that we last spoke. The phone rings for so long I’m about to give up, but then my mother’s breathless voice comes through the line.

“Hi, Kristen,” she pants.

“Hey Mum,” I reply. “Why are you out of breath? You still trying to be the next Usain Bolt?”

“Don’t tease me,” she pouts. “I’m injured. Took me forever to get to the phone.”

“Injured? Mum, what happened?” I ask, now genuinely concerned.

“Oh, it’s not too bad,” she explains. “I sort of sprained my ankle the other day. That’ll teach me for trying to sprint along the beach. Running on sand is really hard, you know?”

I stifle a giggle. “Yeah, Mum. I know. How are things at the clinic?”

“Not too bad. Luckily not too busy at the moment with this stupid ankle giving me grief,” she complains. “What’s happening with you? How are things going with your new roommate? Mackenzie, isn’t it?”

“Uh, good,” I say. “She’s good.”

I want to tell her everything. I need to tell her. About Mackenzie. About Henley. All of it. But this is not a conversation to be had over the phone. I have no idea how she is going to take the news that my father was leading a double life long before he left us. I need to see her in person.

“So, listen, Mum. Are you free around lunchtime? I thought we could go to that restaurant near Ben’s Harvest and grab a bite.”

Maybe I could even get Mackenzie to join us.

“Sure. Oh, wait. No, I can’t do today. Mrs. Hillier is bringing her German Shepherd in, and I promised I’d take care of him myself. What about tomorrow?”

“Okay, sure,” I agree. “Tomorrow it is.”

By the time I finish talking to my mother I still have about forty minutes till my shift begins. I decide to take a walk along the esplanade then grab a quick coffee before I start work.

“Mackenzie,” I call out across the apartment. “I’m going to the Haven. You want to come with me and grab a coffee?”

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