Page 62 of Imogen

“They understand,” I assure her.

“Wait, if you’re still going, is there a spare bed for Ben?” Dad declares. “In the cabin, I mean. We have a client shooting a TV soap up there and the guy who normally stays with her is off.”

I’ve been trying not to think of Ben or the kiss we shared this morning. I have no idea what it meant or if it meant anything at all. Kissing him surpassed what my imagination conjured up. If his phone hadn’t started ringing, and if he hadn’t pulled back, I’m not sure we would have stopped there.

Hearing Ben is going back to work so soon turns my stomach. “I thought he needed to recover? Is it safe for him to be working a high-profile case?”

“It’s not a case,” Dad begins. “Sabrina got attacked in her car not far from set a few months ago. The police didn’t take the threatening letters seriously so she hired us. Connor found out who her attacker was whilst compiling evidence and it will be going to court soon. He’s decided to take up her offer to stay in her service. She still gets hate mail and no longer feels safe. Ben is just going up for the weekend so Connor can come back and tie up a few things.”

“So is he leaving the company?”

“No. He will still take jobs close to where she is so we are doing what we can to support that.”

I grin because Connor is gorgeous. And I’ve seen Sabrina in action. She makes a good villain. And she’s beautiful. They are definitely hooking up. “Well, yeah. I’ll have to ring Hope to double check, as she’s the one who organised it. But with Lily and Jaxon not coming and Aiden cancelling, I’m sure it will be okay.”

“Just let us know. All the hotels are booked up. Sabrina offered him a room at hers but he’s not ready for that right now.”

“I will,” I reassure him as a yawn slips free. “I’m going home. I need some sleep.”

Mum presses her lips to my cheek. “Go get some rest. But I hope you’ll be back later for dinner.”

I meet her gaze, regretting that I ever got upset. I should have known she would never see me differently. “I will, Mum. I promise.”

“Love you, bug,” Dad tells me as I get to my feet.

I wrap my arms around him. “Love you too, Dad.”

Mum hugs me again, her grip tightening. “I’m so proud of you. Your strength has always amazed me,” she reveals. “I love you so much.”

“She loves me more,” Joshua yells.

“I’m the favourite,” I yell back, tears burning my eyes.

“You two,” Mum sniffles.

“I love you, Mum. I’ll be by later.”

After we share another goodbye, I head next door to my home, feeling lighter than I did arriving.

It still feels like a dream, but I know this feeling won’t last. And if it does, I have people around me to help.

But as I collapse down on my bed, my eyes drifting shut, my mind wanders to the new complications in my life.

Apologising to Hayden.

And Ben kissing me.

I’m not sure I’ll survive either.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Ben

I messed up kissing Imogen this morning—or technically yesterday now, since it’s one in the morning. I should never have gone there with her. I made promises to Evan and to myself. It feels wrong but so right. I’ve known her since she was a teenager. Although I never saw her as anything other than a kid or felt what I do now for her, it still feels wrong somehow. But it’s different now. She’s not a child. She’s a woman, and if I’m honest with myself, she’s been a woman to me for years.

Yet, I still made promises.

Promises I broke.

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