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I blew out a breath and nodded. “I’m going to take your advice. I’m going to branch out from sports photography. I’m tired of being constantly on the move, I want to finallyanchor myself somewhere.” I bit my lip, hesitating. “But that ‘somewhere’ won’t be London.”

“You’re staying here in Redwater, I take it?”

“You don’t seem surprised.”

She shrugged, pressing buttons on the coffee machine, which then whirred to life. “This is where you always come when you’re looking to relax. It didn’t take a genius to work out that you feel at home here.”

“You’re not upset?”

“I’d obviously rather you’re in London, I’m selfish that way. But I don’t want that for you if it isn’t what will make you happy. And it’s not like you’ll be on another planet, is it? Plus, I understand the appeal of Redwater. There’s something about the place. Like it has its own gravity. I can’t explain it.”

“I get what you mean.”

“I suppose it doesn’t hurt that you’ll be close to Delaney. You two are obviously cozier than you led me to believe.”

I sighed, tossing a teabag in two empty cups. “Mum—”

“Your love life is your business, I know. But I still reserve the right to sulk when you don’t keep me in the loop about it. As for his closet, no skeletons. Not one person I spoke to had a bad word to say about him. I was told he’s very likeable and, having just met him, I can see why.

“Even your brothers took a shine to him. Which, considering they don’t like any men who go near you, is pretty much evidence of a higher power. But that doesn’t mean they won’t grill him about his intentions toward you. In fact, they’re probably doing it right now.”

I frowned, not liking the prospect of that. When we returned to the living room, drinks in hand, it was to discover that she’d been bang on the mark. More, my dad was also partaking in the polite interrogation.

“Leave him alone,” I told them. They predictably went to argue, so I added, “Don’t think I won’t spit in your cups.”

Thankfully, they let it go.

Once all the hot mugs had been distributed, I took a seat on the sofa beside Jacob. I would rather have sat on the other end of it with Cole, but there wasn’t enough room.

The conversation was light. My family spoke of their eventful flight, Jacob’s recent race, and Aiden’s idiotic attempt to row a boat while smashed—he wasn’t even sure where he’d intended to go, or who the boat belonged to. Cole spoke of his training, his upcoming fight, and also of the short period he lived in Vegas.

The whole time, I kept waiting for him to announce that he needed to leave, since I knew he had plans for later. But hours went by during which he talked and laughed with my family, not looking at all like someone who needed to keep an eye on the time.

When my family headed to their respective rooms to unpack, I flashed Cole a quick smile and said, “Sorry if they’ve been a little overwhelming.”

He gripped my hand and dragged me along the sofa, hauling me up against his side. “They haven’t.”

I bit my lower lip and fiddled with his collar. “Um,” I began, keeping my voice low, “you told them you’re my boyfriend.”

He curved his arm around my neck, staring down at me, his eyes warm. “Because I am.”

My pulse leaped. “Since when?”

“Since I decided.”

“And when did you decide?” I asked, the flickers of hope in my belly becoming a roaring fire.

“Yesterday, when you said I’d find someone who’d support my goals rather than resent them. The thing is … I’vealready found her.You.I’ve known that for a while. But I didn’t see how I could make you feel anything other than neglected, so I was convinced that all I’d do is mess everything up if I pushed for more. But then you said something else yesterday.”

“What?”

“You said that I’ll be as invested in a relationship that matters to me as I am in my career because that’s who I am. And I realized you were right.” He flicked my nose with the tip of his own. “I hadn’t thrown myself into my past relationships—if you can even call them relationships—because they hadn’t meant anything to me. It’ll be different with us, because what I have with you matters.”

“You could have fooled me,” I muttered with a haughty sniff even as delight made my lips curve. “You barely reacted when I told you I planned to stay in Redwater instead of returning to London.”

“I considered telling you that, since I had no intention of letting you go anywhere, your change in plan was moot. But I wasn’t sure if you were ready to hear that. I didn’t want to say or do anything that would make you pull back.”

We’d been in the same boat, then.

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