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“Morning,” we both chime together.
Ugh, could we make it any more awkward?
His brow raises enough for me to notice before he turns his back, and then his office door closes behind him.
I let out a breath as though I am a kid hiding a chocolate bar under the table. Unclasping my fingers, I lift them from my lap and continue to type.
“I cc’d you in an email to the city council,” Ethan says without looking at me. “And I have three quotes from three construction companies I’ll forward to you.”
Glad it’s business as usual.
Dad’s door squeaks as it opens. He stands so the door conceals half his body. “Dana has called in sick. She said to check your email.”
“Right. Thanks.”
Dad begins to close his door until a noise has his head jerking toward the office entrance door. The wind blasts it open along with my mother hanging onto the handle and stumbling inside.
“Grace?” Dad’s eyes widen as Mum swipes hair out of her eyes.
“Eden,” she says out of breath.
I jump up out of my chair and freeze, seeing Mum’s frazzled face.
“Is it Rose?” I snap. Every second feels like minutes anticipating her answer.
She shakes her head.
“Close the damn door, Grace,” Dad grunts just as the wind blows loose sheets of paper over my desk. “There’s a damn storm brewing over the ocean.”
Mum spins toward the door but doesn’t close it. A man with a buzz cut is bent over as he stumbles inside. He straightens, and I realize he was protecting a bundle in his arms.
Rose.
He looks down, admiring her. Rose has her arms out for me. My legs become weak, and I lean on the desk, unable to take another breath.
“He knocked on the apartment door looking for you,” Mum blurts out and pushes the door closed.
Blue eyes meet mine. Even more beautiful without the blond hair framing his face. A face gaunter than the last time I saw him, and yet still as handsome as it was the day we met.
My legs find the strength to move, and he opens one arm for me to collapse into his side. Burrowing my face into his chest, I sob uncontrollably. “I’m so mad at you. I didn’t think I’d see you again.” I lightly thump his chest without lifting my head from the wet patch I’ve created against his tailored black suit jacket.
Then my arm is around his back, squeezing him so I know I’m not dreaming, and he really is alive.
“Mumma,” Rose babbles and taps on my head.
I manage a single laugh and lift my face.
Samuel wipes tears from my eyes, then taking my chin, he lifts my face so he can lean in and kiss me. “I promised I’d come find you,” he says against my lips. Then he kisses me again.
He smells woody as though the scent of the forest is ingrained into his skin. His minty breath mingles with the salt from the tears that have streamed down my face and onto my lips.
“I’ve missed you so much,” I whimper.
Leaning my head against his chest, I hug him again. Realizing we have an audience, I straighten and lightly dab my cheeks.
I focus on my father. “In case you don’t realize… this is Samuel,” I rasp.
“I met your mother when I went upstairs,” he tells me. He nods at Mum, and she has the goofiest expression as though Samuel’s charm has already bewitched her.
