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“Oh my goodness. Was this really all you?” she asked, spinning around to stare at Chloe, then at Dimitrios. Dimitrios’s attention was now on the room beyond Ellie.

“Go have a look,” Chloe urged, her voice cracking a little.

Inside, the generic guest furnishings had been completely overhauled. “I went with green, in the end,” she explained, a little anxiously. “I know you weren’t sure about colour choices, but… My nieces love it, and I had a hunch you would, too.” She’d chosen shades of sage, avocado and a deeper fern green. There were live houseplants now, in beautiful wicker baskets, a new duvet and comforter, cushions as well. She’d updated the linen in the bathrooms, put more plants in there, too, and on the ground, she’d unfurled a huge rug that had shades of earthy brown, cream and green.

“If you like the green,” she continued. “I’d suggest painting the walls. I’ve left some swatches in your desk drawer.” She hesitated a moment. “I know you could hire someone,” she said, in Dimitrios’s direction. “But I’ve always found that people who paint their own rooms get the best results. I recommend that approach myself.” Her eyes held his meaningfully. Don’t outsource this. Spend time together.

“Got it,” he said, stabbing his hands in his pockets. Chloe blinked away, back to Ellie, whose gaze had fallen on the one object Chloe was most nervous about in the whole place.

“I hope it’s okay that I framed that for you, Ellie. It fell out from under your pillow when I was making the bed, and I just thought it might be safer on display.”

A tear slid down Ellie’s cheek as she looked at the photo of herself, her mother, and her father. Anxiety ballooned inside Chloe. Had she gone too far?

“I love it,” Ellie whispered after a beat. “I love it all. Thank you, Chloe.” And then, to Chloe’s surprise, relief and gratitude, Ellie hurtled herself at Chloe, arms wrapping round her waist and holding on tight.

Chloe hugged her back, her heart swelling as she pressed a kiss to the young girl’s forehead, then let her eyes find Dimitrios’s. Though he barely reacted, she felt a tugging from his chest to hers, as if he needed a hug every bit as much as Ellie did, and just didn’t know how to ask for it.

It killed him not to go to her that night. It killed him to stick to their agreed-upon rules, even knowing it was their last night together. But Chloe had worked overtime to keep him at a distance all night. They’d watched a movie with Ellie, but this week, she’d sat with the teen, almost as if using her as a shield. They’d stayed up late—it’s a weekend, both had reasoned—and then, Chloe had walked Ellie upstairs, telling her she had a gift for her.

Afterwards, he’d prevaricated. He’d wanted to go to her, but had realized it should be on Chloe’s terms. He was pretty sure he’d made his feelings obvious enough.

When he heard the door to the guest room latch, his last hope died.

The following morning was dark and gloomy, despite the fact sunshine had been forecast. He heard Chloe’s door and stepped out of bed immediately, intending to catch her before Ellie woke up.

He found her in the kitchen, coffee brewing.

“Thought I’d power up before the drive,” she said, voice a little brittle. And then, uncertain. “I hope the room stuff was okay. I would have liked to do more, but with the time remaining, that was all I could manage.”

“She seemed to love it.”

“If you engage another interior designer, I’m sure they’ll have thoughts on furnishings. She could do with a bigger desk, and a more comfortable armchair, a new throw…she’ll know.”

“Got it.”

“Anyway,” her brow furrowed to show concentration. “I’m really glad I agreed to decorate your house.” Heat bloomed in her cheeks. “Not because of this,” she said, nodding towards him whilst avoiding his eyes. “But because of Ellie. You were right. She deserves a good Christmas after everything she’s been through.”

“The photo was a nice touch.”

“I wasn’t sure how she’d take it.”

“You’re good with kids.”

She lifted her shoulders. “Kids are just people a little behind us on the path. Treat her with respect, try to understand where she’s coming from, and you’ll be okay.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

Contingency. Contingency. Contingency.

“You’re going to be fine,” she insisted. “If I had any doubts, I’d be recommending some kind of nanny or whatever. But honestly? I think that little girl just needs to know she’s got someone in her corner. That you’re in her corner, and that you’re not going anywhere.”

His frown deepened. “But what if I am?”

Chloe stood straighter. “What does that mean?”

He couldn’t help it. He stalked deeper into the kitchen, coming to stand right in front of her.

“It means none of us can be certain about anything. Ben died suddenly, his illness was short. Laura wasn’t even lucky enough to know what was coming. She didn’t have a chance to prepare, or say goodbye, or she might have chosen someone else to raise Ellie.”