Page 140 of Kiss Me Like You Mean It

‘I… of course, come in.’

She steps inside, looking around with interest, stripping off her soft, leather gloves, and I’m certain her keen eyes miss nothing.

Her posture is relaxed, but there’s thick tension in the air. Nico blinks at me, looking dazed. To be fair, a couple of minutes ago he was naked with my tongue in his mouth so it’s quite the turnaround.

Gran turns to him. ‘Perhaps you’d like to put on a shirt?’ There’s a glint of mischief in her eyes, even as her voice remains placid.

Nico looks down at his naked torso like he’d forgotten his body even existed. ‘Shit,’ he mutters, running a hand through his already tousled hair. ‘Sorry, yes, I’ll just…’ He gestures to the bedroom, casting me an apologetic look.

‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ I ask, taking charge of the situation while he disappears. We’re all British here so there’s not a single awkward situation that cannot be smoothed over with a cup of tea.

‘That would be lovely,’ Gran says, moving around and taking everything in. As I fuss around making three cups of tea I try to see it through her eyes, the way I saw it only a couple of weeks ago. With a start, I realise how comfortable I am here now, how at home.

I also notice that things have changed in the last three weeks. It’s tidier for a start, and there are several pairs of perilously high heels lined up next to the door alongside Phoebe and Nico’s shoes. There’s a romance novel from the library on the coffee table. The calendar on the fridge has my name on it, noting when I’ll pick Phoebe up from school. There’s a shopping list in my handwriting consisting almost entirely of green vegetables. Underneath, in Phoebe’s round hand are the additions: ‘Marshmallows, candy bars, cereal (the GOOD kind!!!!)’. Nico has tried to add ‘flax seed’ multiple times and it has been viciously crossed out.

I place the cups of tea on the table, gesturing for Gran to take a seat. Nico hasn’t reappeared, and I guess he’s giving us a minute on our own.

‘Are you feeling okay?’ I ask anxiously. ‘After the journey and everything?’

‘I had several glasses of champagne and slept like a baby,’ Gran says coolly. ‘The journey was no trouble.’

Okay then, I probably shouldn’t have immediately questioned her health when she looks absolutely fine, but I couldn’t help myself. I take a deep breath.

‘Can I say I’m sorry first?’ I blurt. ‘I hate that we fought. It’s not like us.’

Gran’s shoulders come down. ‘I know. I’m sorry as well. I said some things I shouldn’t have because I was frustrated and it was wrong of me.’

I look down at my mug. ‘I needed to hear it.’

Gran tilts her head, studying me. ‘Maybe, but I could have worded it differently. I hurt your feelings and that’s the last thing I’d ever want to do.’

I shrug, fighting the urge to smooth things over without acknowledging just how hurt I’ve been.

Nico walks out, dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt that I think he’s used my travel steamer on, and I bite back a smile.

‘Everything okay out here?’ he asks.

‘I was just apologising,’ Gran says.

‘Good.’ Nico takes the seat next to mine, cups his warm hand at the back of my neck before stroking my back. It’s a casual touch of reassurance, and a claiming, and Gran’s brows lift.

‘I see,’ she says archly, and Nico just sips his tea.

Now Gran really does smile. ‘Well, it’s about time.’

‘So everyone keeps telling me,’ Nico smiles back at her, and the easy affection that has always existed between them is obvious.

‘I can’t believe you’re here,’ I say, shaking my head.

‘I can’t believe you thought I’d miss the fun,’ Gran looks miffed. ‘After that officious little lawyer called me, I booked myself on the first flight. Even your brother’s in on the game before me. You can imagine how surprised he was when I turned up at the inn this morning.’

‘You’re staying at the inn as well?’ Nico asks.

‘I am, Magda arranged it.’

‘Is Magda in touch with my entire family?’ I ask. ‘Next thing you know Mum and Dad will be turning up.’

‘God, I hope not.’ Gran wrinkles her nose.