Page 98 of Bargaining

I snorted. Had it seemed like a toy kitchen to Cole? When we were young, I’d never thought much about his life outside of Ecclesdale or how different our backgrounds were. It had never mattered. We’d just connected.

Reuben’s smile was huge. “I love it, honestly. It’s all perfect.”

Dad would have been endlessly amused by Reuben. He had a boyish exuberance about him that was impossible not to like. Dad had been similar. He’d had a great interest in people. So many people had come to his funeral because he’d been so well loved. My gaze fell on his slippers sitting by the back door. I’d never moved them. Not even when he was bedbound at the end and had no use for them.

“My dad would have loved you.”

He brightened. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Do you want a cup of tea?”

“I’d better get off. I suspect Dad might call me back to Rome.”

“You don’t have to let him bully you, you know.”

“I can handle him.” He shrugged.

“You shouldn’t have to. Youdon’thave to.”

He frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. “No. I suppose not.”

He peered into the living room. “It’s so cute in here, too.” He rocked back on his heels. “You know, it’s really something up here. I love how ... green it all is.”

“It’s not bad. We’ve got a retail park now with a Nando’s.”

He pulled a confused face. “Nando’s?”

“Portuguese? Peri-peri chicken? Don’t tell me you’ve never had Nando’s?”

He shook his head. “I don’t eat fast food. Dad says it takes years off your life.”

“He’s not wrong, but I don’t know if I want to live a long life if I’m deprived of halloumi fries. We need to rectify this. Let’s get dinner.”

He flashed a small smile. “You’re taking this well. Leaving Cole. I thought you’d be devastated, but you’re talking up peri-peri chicken.”

Because I’d moved past devastation to depressing reality. I’d spent too much of my life feeling sad over Cole leaving me. I couldn’t do it again. Now, I was just grateful to be moving on from him. At least now I knew things would never change. He’d made his choice. This felt like closure. Something he’d denied me the first time. Now, I’d be the one to walk away.

He flashed a look at his watch. “I should get back.”

“Screw your dad. He can wait.”

He let out a thoughtful sigh and flashed a lopsided grin. “Right. Screw him. Let’s go and take years off our lives.”

Chapter 45

Cole

I flew straight from Rome to an airfield in Yorkshire. When I knocked on Charlotte’s door, Reuben answered.

His face lit in a beaming smile. “Boss-man! We were just talking about you. Lottie took me to Nando’s. Have you ever had it? I’m very into the rainbow slaw—”

“What can I do for you, Cole?” Charlotte joined Reuben at the door. She folded her arms and looked right through me.

“Can we talk?” I flashed a meaningful look at Reuben.

Miraculously, Reuben actually took the hint and jumped into action.

“I’d better leave you to it.”