‘I’m completely undomesticated,’ Liz warned Jack as they sat at the small table in her black and white tiled kitchen, dipping crusty bread into deep bowls of steaming potato and leek soup. ‘I didn’t make this soup. I’m afraid I’m not likely to slave over a hot stove now that I’m back in London. Not with Marks & Spencer just around the corner.’
She felt it was important to set Jack straight about her shortcomings. She was still trying to assess this astonishing development, still seesawing between joy and dismay that he’d come all this way when their parting had been so unhappy. And so very definite.
‘Why apologise? I can’t think of anything better,’ Jack said, tucking into her soup with gusto, giving a nod that took in her cosy kitchen and the snowflakes swirling past the glass doors that led to her handkerchief-sized backyard. ‘Especially on a cold winter’s night.’
He smiled at her, deepening the creases around his eyes and rekindling the fizz of excitement that had begun when she discovered him at her front gate.
They hadn’t jumped into bed like young lovers, but Jack had accepted her invitation to stay the night and somehow Liz couldn’t imagine him sleeping in the guest bedroom.
So far they’d had a sedate drink in the sitting room while Jack informed her that Alex was spending Christmas with his other grandparents. In turn, Liz had confessed about her upsetting day with Evan.
It was then that Jack had gallantly invited her out to dinner. Liz knew he’d wanted to cheer her up, but she’d also known that he had to be dead-tired after his long journey and she’d suggested a hot bath and supper at home.
‘Sounds perfect,’ Jack had said gratefully.
So here they were.
And because she couldn’t hold back a moment longer, she said, ‘I hadn’t expected to tell you this, Jack, but after my breakdown at Peter’s funeral, I saw my baby’s father.’
Jack’s eyes widened.
‘I caught up with him in Brisbane before I left.’
There was a long moment before Jack spoke. ‘How did the meeting go?’
‘Very well, thanks. I told Matthew everything and it was a shock, of course. We both had a bit of a wobbly moment, but after a meal and a bottle of wine and a long talk, I knew I’d done the right thing. I felt cleansed and . . . ’ Liz paused, searching for the right word. ‘I think I felt restored.’
‘Catharsis.’
‘Yes. It was so good to finally take the lid off that horrible guilt.’ She sighed. ‘I’ll never completely forgive myself.’
Reaching across the table Jack covered her hand with his. ‘You don’t have the monopoly on guilt, Liz. Look at the way I ignored Alex’s musical talent for almost twelve months.’
‘Alex will be fine.’
‘And we’ll be fine, too,’ Jack said, letting his hand stay there, holding hers.
We?
Liz’s heart gave the most incredible girlish flutter. ‘Perhaps you’d better tell me why you’re here.’
He smiled. ‘Can’t you guess?’
‘I’d rather know for sure.’
‘I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. I can’t forget what you said on the day of your concert.’
‘Was that before or after I kissed you?’
‘What do you think?’ He smiled and his grip on her hand tightened. ‘After you comprehensively kissed the hell out of me.’
The gruffness in his voice caused the most delicious pang in Liz. ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to remind me,’ she prompted. ‘What did I say?’
‘You told me that you had to go back to London, but that didn’t mean we had to close the door straightaway. We could consider our options.’
How confident she’d been that day, riding on a post-performance high.
‘And so . . . ’ said Jack. ‘That’s why I’m here. I’m planning to revisit those options.’
Even before he finished the sentence, he was out of his chair and drawing Liz to him and his arms felt strong and warm and safe. Masterful and sexy.
And this time, when they kissed, it was Jack who took charge and Liz felt her heart floating to a completely new level of happiness.