Page 73 of All Yours

‘It’s mutual,’ she said. ‘And I see Willow’s face light up when they are in the room. She does this funny bouncy thing in her chair when she sees them. She loves them too.’

‘She’s such a great baby,’ Fox said. Robyn stilled against him.

‘Do you think so?’ Her voice sounded suddenly unsure.

‘Of course. She’s a beauty,’ he said. Robyn let her hand rest on his chest and exhaled slowly.

‘That’s really nice to hear.’

Fox understood. When you’re on your own with children, it’s always good to get some external validation that your children are the beautiful and amazing creatures that you believe them to be. Of course she was going to want reassuring sometimes. It was only natural. He knew how lonely solo parenting could be. He squeezed her tight and felt her soften against him.

‘Thank you,’ she whispered.

A tenderness washed over him. This woman kept taking him by surprise. She made him laugh, taught him things, did mind-blowing things to his body and she made him feel new, somehow. Revitalised. He hadn’t felt as confident as he did right now in years, having just had the best sex of his life and holding a strong woman in his arms.

‘So, what will you do with yourself then, until you go to Botswana? Now that you don’t have to do the school run.’

He mentally counted in his head. Four weeks until she left.

‘Not sure yet. But tomorrow is another day and I’m sure the universe has something in store for me.’ He loved the fact that she had such a belief in life, her constant faith in something good around the corner. An opportunity in every day.

‘Bet you’re excited to leave?’

‘Of course! For the next adventure.’

His stomach dropped. Funny, he’d wanted her to deny it in some kind of way, or at least say it would be hard to leave, especially now that they had the chance for some fun together.

‘Christmas before that, though,’ she said. ‘Willow’s first.’

‘And Etienne and Isabella’s wedding.’

‘And Rosie and Wren’s babies,’ Robyn added.

‘And the masked ball!’

‘That’s a new one to me.’

‘It’s held every Christmas Eve,’ he said. ‘The town raises money for a charity which takes Christmas presents to children in hospital.’

‘Sounds like a great cause.’

‘It’s also great fun. Masks are mandatory and hangovers are expected.’

Robyn laughed. ‘I’ll buy a ticket.’ He found himself grinning.

She stretched and the blanket slipped from her shoulder. Fox traced the constellation of freckles there with his forefinger, before pushing himself to sitting.

‘On that note,’ Fox said. ‘I’d better go.’ Her hair was tousled on the sofa, her face was still flushed, her lips were swollen. She’d never looked more beautiful than at that moment. He caught himself staring and stood, gathering his clothes from the floor and righting the chair.

‘See you tomorrow?’ she asked as he pulled his jeans on.

‘For sure.’

A last kiss, one that lingered and could have easily turned into more, her tongue touching his, her breath sweet against his face.

Chapter Forty-One

Robyn