Page 41 of Heartbreaker

Great. Now she is going to think that I wanted to be late or something. “I brought the truffles you asked for.” I give her a smile and hand over the bag to her.

She takes a look in the bag. “These are amazing, I just can't get enough of it,” she says giving me a hug.

We have the most amazing slow barbecued beef brisket. I have never had it before and it is heavenly. There is some sort of spice rub on it and I ask Sadie for the recipe. She seems thrilled and runs to write it down.

I look to the left and wonder if I am imagining the stink eye I am getting from Maisy, but no, I’m not. It started just after dinner. Jackson had pulled our chairs close as we all sit around talking and relaxing. His family are wonderful, and the dynamic is so much fun. He and Jake are like two little boys all the time and I love the glimpse of Jackson like this. He is carefree, and his wicked sense of humour is coming through.

We stand to leave, and Jackson’s arm comes around me, his hand resting on the top curve of my hip. I link my arm around his back and curl my fingers into his belt loops, my body turns into him.

Jackson kisses my temple softly and I yelp.

“Ow,” What the hell?

“Maisy!” Sadie shouts in a stern voice.

Everyone turns to look at Maisy who has just kicked me in the leg, with all the might of a little girl scorned.

“Maisy, why did you kick Ashley?” Jake asks as he kneels down so that he is eye to eye with her. Her little lip pouts and wobbles. Big tears form in her eyes, but still she glares at me.

I turn to Jackson. “I should go. Walk me out and you can stay and be with your family.”

He frowns and looks at me uncertainly. “No, I want Maisy to apologise first,” he says and looks at his niece. The stern, disappointed look from her adored uncle breaks her and she throws herself at her dad and great hulking sobs rack her body.

“But,” hiccup, “but, she kissed Uncle Jacky and that means he loves her now and not me.” Her little girl heartbreak pulls at my heartstrings.

Jackson kneels next to her and pulls her to him and the fact that she goes, and her father lets her, tells me of the bond these brothers share.

I stand back and watch.

“Maisy, hunny bunches of love,” he says, and she giggles. “You will always be my very special girl and nobody, not anybody ever will change that. But you know how you love Mummy and Daddy and me and Nanny?” She nods as she looks at him earnestly. “Well I can do that too. I can love you and Ashely. It’s different but no less important. Kind of like chocolate and sweets. You love both, so you need to have both. Well, you're my sweets and Ashley is my chocolate. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Uncle Jacky,” she says and throws her little arms around his neck.

He lifts her and walks over to me. “Now what do you say?”

“I’m sorry Ashley,” she whispers, and I smile.

I reach out and brush a tear from her baby soft cheek. “It’s okay, sweetie, I understand. Uncle Jacky is very special, and I promise I won’t steal him. Maybe we can both spend time with you. I have some chocolate pumpkins to make in a few weeks, maybe you could help?”

Her eyes light up then, “Can I please,” she says and just like that we are friends again.