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“Who told you that?”
“Juliette. Why do you keep it a secret?”
I shrug. “It’s just a hobby.”
“Damon, I know you painted the big picture in Kia Kaha. I love that painting. It’s amazing.”
My lips curve up. “I’m glad you like it.”
“I wish I could see some of your other work. Do you display it anywhere?”
“There are a couple of canvases in my office. The rest are in my house.”
I want to ask her to come and see them. But I hesitate, and the moment passes.
She looks out of the window. “I should go.”
I release her, disappointed, and a tad angry because I know I mustn’t ask to see her again.
“I have to do the walk of shame,” she admits as she takes off my shirt and starts putting on her underwear. “I’m hoping I can sneak in before Dad and Sherry see me.”
“If they do, what will you say?”
“I’ll tell them I crashed out with a friend at the hotel. Aroha or someone will cover for me.”
“When’s your mum going back to L.A.?”
She pauses in the act of lowering her dress over her head. “I’m not sure.” She lowers the dress and turns her back for me to zip it up.
I rise, take the zipper in my fingers, and carefully slide it up, making sure my fingers brush her warm skin. She shivers. “Are you going to see her again?” I murmur, sliding my arms around her waist.
She turns in them to rest her hands on my bare chest. “I don’t know. Maybe, just to say goodbye.” She frowns and brushes a finger through my chest hair. “I don’t know that I’ll be able to forgive her fully, but I do have a lot more sympathy for her now. Relationships are so complicated.”
We study each other for a moment. Afraid I’ll blurt out that I want to see her again, I cup her face in my hands, lower my mouth to hers, and we exchange a long, sweet kiss.
“Drive carefully,” she says when we eventually part. “And let me know how the meeting goes tomorrow.”
“I will.” I see her to the door, and we have one final kiss before she waves goodbye and runs down the corridor.
I watch her go, then let the door close.
I walk over to the window and look out at the autumnal day. It’s going to rain, which will make my drive back slower than usual. And it’ll be a lot less entertaining without Belle to brighten my day.
*
Monday
“Hey, bro!” It’s Saxon, back from a stint in Auckland. He comes into my office, where I’m going through some folders spread out on a table, and we clasp hands and exchange a manly shoulder bump.
“Hey, dude. How’s it going?” I ask.
“Yeah, not bad. Good to be back, though. I don’t like being away from Catie at the moment.”
I smile. The two of them had a rocky start, but he has adapted to married life and fatherhood with gusto. “How’s she feeling?” I ask.
“She says she feels as if she’s swallowed two bowling balls,” he jokes. “She’s quite uncomfortable now. But she still looks gorgeous.” He grins. He certainly doesn’t seem to find pregnancy a turnoff.
“I guess it could be anytime now, right?”
