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CHAPTER TWELVE
Summer
‘EDWARD!’ MYHEART leaps into my throat as I spy him not two metres away, rooted in the snow as if he’s been there a while.
The collar of his coat is drawn high, his hands are deep inside his pockets, and his eyes strike out beneath the rim of a navy beanie. He looks good in a beanie—less executive, more everyday, and my betraying heart gives a little flip as it settles.
How did I miss his approach?
You’re rolling around in the snow with a great big Heffalump of a dog and you ask how?
Said Heffalump yaps excitedly as he launches himself at our new arrival. He has none of the wariness I have. But then, Rufus hasn’t been shut out like I have.
‘Sorry.’ Edward reaches down to pat Rufus, but his eyes stay fixed on me. ‘I didn’t mean to startle you.’
‘You didn’t. We were just having fun. Has Juan gone?’
Rufus rolls around in front of him, demanding his attention, and Edward rubs his belly, the sight making my skin prickle and my chest bloom with envy.
‘Aye.’
I dust snow off my clothing as I step towards him, my anger from earlier weak in the face of this new Edward. Appeasing Edward.
‘I’m sorry about the mess in the hall, I just didn’t want anything moved until I’d gone through the list.’
‘I know. I get it.’
He looks up at me and those soft brown eyes render me speechless, their sudden warmth so unexpected.
‘I’m sorry I was such a grump.’
I fold my arms, purse my lips as I side-eye him. ‘Have you had another lobotomy?’
He laughs, and the sound is so deep and unrestrained and everything I’ve been craving since our meeting with Mr McAllister.
‘No.’ He smiles at me, hesitant now. ‘I don’t know...maybe.’
And Edward hesitant is as sexy as Edward stripped to his underwear. What’s going on?
‘Can I join you for a bit?’
My laugh is soft with disbelief. ‘You’re asking if you can come and play with us?’
‘I guess I am.’
‘Are you sure you can afford to spend the time away from your desk? Because this past fortnight you’ve barely looked up from your work.’
He grimaces. ‘I know. I’m sorry about that too.’
‘You’re very apologetic all of a sudden. What did Juan do to you?’
‘Talked some sense into me. Just don’t tell him I said that.’
He’s teasing, but I’m not laughing any more. I’m confused. And I’m hurt. Having him come out here, expecting me to welcome him back like everything is fine. Swinging from hatred to aloof, from moody to this... I can’t protect my heart if he keeps taking me by surprise like this.
‘Come on, Rufus. I owe you an actual walk.’
I turn away and Rufus scrambles up, trots to my heel as I head towards the woods. I refuse to be a doormat. There’s only so far my guilt and past behaviour will excuse his behaviour now.
