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‘Evelyn …’ Her name was a groan.

‘Hush.’ She pressed another burning kiss against his lips and looped her leg over his thigh, shamelessly rubbing against the rough denim stretched taut across his muscles. She nipped at his lips and he grabbed her, throwing her back against the wall and caging her there.

He ran his teeth down her throat and she arched into him as he dragged her skirt up around her waist and ground his hips against hers.

‘Is this what you want?’ The question was growled from deep within his throat, making her squirm against him.

‘Yes, please yes.’ She shoved what was left of her dignity – and underwear – aside and moaned as he lifted her leg up over his forearm, and drove into her, his mouth fastened to hers in a possessive, burning kiss.

And finally the ice shattered, and warmth trickled back through Evelyn.

Afterwards, Jake held her on his lap, his arms wrapped tightly around her as she rested her head on his shoulder.

‘That was … amazing.’ He whispered the words into her hair, his mind reeling.

‘Hmm.’

He took a deep breath, and hoped that he’d be able to get the words out in the right order. ‘Listen, Evelyn, I’ve been thinking. I know things aren’t going to be easy for a while, and that there are other things – and people – that you need to be focussing on, but I want to be part of your life. Of yours and Summer’s lives. And if you’ll let me, and if you think it would help, then I’d like to come to the hospital appointment with you next week. Even if I just drive you there, and wait outside, or come in and quietly take notes for you.’

He realised she was frozen still in his lap.

‘Evelyn? What do you think?’

‘They moved the appointment.’ Her voice was strangely thick, and Jake’s stomach clenched. ‘It was today.’

‘And?’ When she didn’t answer he tucked his fingers under her chin and forced her to look up at him. ‘And?’

‘And it’s back.’

‘And?’ He needed to hear that Summer was going to be OK. That the life he was half-planning and desperately hoping for with her and Evelyn was going to happen.

‘And nothing.’ She started to shake in his arms. ‘There’s nothing they can do. There’s no drug, no procedure, no trial. There’s nothing. Oh God, there’s nothing they can do. I’m going to lose my baby. Jake, I’m going to lose my baby.’ She collapsed against him, drenching him with her tears but he didn’t care – his own tears were already falling into her hair.

When eventually her tears subsided, he pulled her to her feet, and dried her face. He held her tightly against him, and whispered into her hair. ‘I meant what I said, Evelyn, and I need you to know that it still stands – maybe now more than ever. I’m not going to let you go through this alone.’

He was surprised when she shoved him away, wriggling out from his arms, and visibly straightening her shoulders. ‘I’m sorry Jake, but this is goodbye.’

‘What?’ Confusion slowed his response. ‘But I want to be here for you. And for Summer.’

‘For God’s sake, you don’t know what you’re saying Jake! You don’t know how hideous it’s going to get!’

‘I know I’m not willing to let you go through this alone.’

‘Well it’s not your choice,’ she snapped back at him. ‘I don’t want to be going through this! My daughter is going to die. Soon. I don’t have the headspace for dealing with anyone else. I’m sorry. Thank you for everything.’

‘But—’

‘But nothing. Please don’t make this any harder. We’ve had fun, and now the fun is over.’ She placed a kiss on his cheek then turned on her heel and walked away from him. She hesitated at the door, her hand resting on the handle. ‘I’m sorry Jake, but goodbye.’

The door swung shut, leaving him watching as the darkness swallowed her up.

‘But I love you.’ The words bounced back at him from the cold, dark glass. ‘I love you both.’

Chapter Eleven

‘Mum?’

‘Yes, sweetheart.’