Page 182 of Brighter Together

Warmth presses against some of the emptiness inside me.

“But I also want time for myself. I’m tired, Ella.”

There is something vulnerable about hearing him admit that.

Tommy always seems capable of carrying everything.

Maybe that is part of the problem.

I lift his hand and kiss his knuckles.

“Then I think promoting Sheila sounds like a very good idea.”

“And the holiday?”

I smile.

“Where?”

“I was thinking somewhere sunny. Two weeks. No hotel.”

“No laptop?”

His hesitation makes me laugh.

“No laptop,” he agrees reluctantly.

“Work phone?”

“I’m beginning to dislike this negotiation,” he groans dramatically.

“Tommy.”

“Fine. Emergency calls only.”

“That I can work with.”

He leans forward and kisses me.

“What about the extension?” I ask when he pulls away.

“I’m going to speak to the bank and see if we can delay things for six months.”

I stare at him.

“Really?”

“There’s no point rushing straight into another tender while I’m changing how Greenview Manor operates. I can train Sheila properly, take some time away, then start again.”

His mouth moves to my collarbone.

“And…”

He places another kiss lower.

“I have a job for you.”

I catch the sides of his head and make him look at me.