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‘No one’s said that to me since Gran died Wait and see,’ Molly irl’

Despite the et what he’d survived and had hiet her life back And his ‘You were close to your grandmother?’

‘She was ht ranted everything my mother provided’ Molly hiccupped and turned to stare out theat the passing scenery ‘If only I’d listened harder before I got married’

Anger rose in Nathan Give him ten minutes with the , which was probably just as well He had to accept she was recovering—without any input from him He sed, flicked the music on, and pointed out some landmarks as he drove

Molly stared out the‘It’s a beautiful spot’ A gasp erupted fro me to your house’

No fooling her ‘Yes If I’ so and then I’ll run you home’

If I haven’t found another reason for bringing you here apart from the real one

‘I stopped wanting to go to sleep before the mushrooms arrived at the table’

‘Good to know I haven’t been boring you the whole ain See? Molly did that to hi, even Could Rosie have been right when she’d said he would love again? Pulling into his drive, he slowed, braked, and breathed deeply Who’d have known lungs could ache so sharply when deprived of oxygen? ‘This is the back Come around the front’

She was quiet as they walked along the pebbled pathway to the fenced edge of his property and looked over the public ay to the grass area and the ocean beyond Her silence continued for a good five h he had no idea why About to ask her what she was thinking, he hesitated, and was rewarded with a big smile One of those ones that warmed him from his heart to the tips of his toes, and all places in between

‘It’s stunning,’ she said with a spark in her eyes he hadn’t seen before ‘Truly fabulous’

Then sheto offer Hell, he was nervous Strange It wasn’t as if he was putting his heart on the line—he wasMolly out No, he’d been lucky in love once No one got a second crack at that Spinning around, he began striding back towards the house There was no denying, though, that to have Molly in his spaceher out of his head Did he want to? So e Now he had another one To love or to walk ahile he still could He stuet a new pair of shoes These ones were tripping hiht

‘Nathan? Are you all right?’ Molly called from a little way behind him

‘I’o wasn’t letting hi the nuround his teeth in frustration He didn’t know if he was co Molly out was suddenly top of his list Spontaneity was not one of his strong characteristics, and yet

At the entrance Molly hesitated,him feel uncoht ahy he’d brought her here ‘You er than your apartht be interested in renting’ There He couldn’t retract it Heading down the hall, he held his breath Would she follow? Or would she run out of the house screa Neither was she saying anything Walking into the flat’s living area, he turned to face her Stunned was the only way to describe her expression ‘Molly?’

‘Why would you offer me somewhere to live?’

I have no idea Except for this strange sensation poking me in the belly—and the chest

‘If you want somewhere temporary, that’s fine Your call’

Stunned turned to irritated ‘Thanks’ Sarcas around, that fierce look he’d only got to know yesterday was back Worse, her hands were on her hips, fingers tight

Obviously he wasn’t going to be let off the question swinging between the to waste, and if you can use it, why not?’ Totally true, just not all the truth

Her hands dropped away, the fierceness softened

A return to her good books? He hoped so He believed ined that he needed her to accept he had her back

‘Thank you,’ Molly said He’d haveof her lips if he hadn’t been so focused on her ‘I’et a bit I’m shocked I mean, we haven’t exactly been the best of friends—until now—yet you’re saying I should move into your house?’

‘Take a look around, Molly That’s all I’’