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Noah had been heading away so on with a new job at London Riverside while trying to get over a broken heart ‘I wanted you to know about Holly I really did’ Her heart was cracking for them all Now Noah finally knew, she understood she never wanted to lose him She felt deeply for him and wanted a future with him

He atching her, his chest rising and falling as he breathed deep and often Then his eyes drifted down to Holly in her arms His chest rose, stalled His eyes softened while his hands gripped his hips tighter His tongue slid over his lip froht ‘You’ve had to cope on your own That must’ve been hard’

‘My family supports ed for you to be around, to be in Holly’s life’

If not mine

‘It would’ve changed so s She needs you as much as she needs me’

‘So why didn’t you tellinto his face

‘On the wa

rd, surrounded with patients and staff? In the tearooet interrupted?’

‘Come on, Stacey You can do better than that’ It was a comment, not an accusation

But he was right ‘True I’, when the moment arrived I was stunned Suddenly Holly wasn’t just ht it was too noisy, and then, well, we kissed and went to your house and you knohat happened’

His gaze fell onto Holly, alirl When he spoke it was quietly, as though afraid to disturb his daughter ‘I sort of understand, but there was afterwards, and theover breakfast, and any number of times’

‘I felt guilty for getting distracted I planned on telling you today I really did’ Thud, thud went her heart

Lifting his head slowly, dragging his eyes around to her, he stared at her again ‘I guess itme that well But now I do know, there’s a lot to absorb’ Then he turned away and strode out of the room without another word

Leaving her feeling bereft And fully aware that she was very close to being in love with him

When that had happened, she wasn’t sure It wasn’t as though there’d beenwhen it was the real deal It could’ve happened three years ago when he’d danced with her Or held her in his arht Or on Monday when he’d turned and she’d seen him for the first time since that wonderful time Or today when he’d leapt to help when she’d received the dreadful news about Holly’s accident Or could be that now she’d finally been able to get the truth out to him she’d let other emotions to the fore

Holly This had to be about her htly or wrongly, could not do days when they sorted out where they went from here

Give Noah tiained by doing that Concentrate on seeing Holly through her injuries and getting back on her little feet

That was her role Be herelse mattered

Tell that to her neakened heart And Noah She gazed down at the greatest gift she’d ever received

Thank you for believing me, Noah Now, please, come back and talk to me

It had hurt beyond ius had walked away froether as friends then lovers His betrayal had undermined her capacity to love without question Not that she’d tried

Then along had coive the sahter She’d never stop doing the absolute best for their daughter either, surrounding her with love and care and encouragement She also wanted to love Noah openly, be loved in return

Her heart lurched That was unlikely Noah had been friendly, even aware of her as more than a nurse or friend, but for hi way off, if ever possible He’d not said as much, but he’d been hurt by his ex, and that would carry over to any relationship he had Which only said there wasn’t much opportunity for her to win his heart

Noah strode along the side of the road, head down, hands jammed in his pockets The air was chilly,past hi inside before the weather dumped on them