My head flinches back. “What the fuck did I do, then?”
“You jumped and your head knocked me. It was an accident.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “Are you sure?”
She smiles, showing a hint of her cute dimples, then winces as her swollen lip stretches. “Yes, I’m sure.”
I bring my hand to her face, my thumb grazing her lip, wanting to kiss it better, and take all her pain away.
“It doesn’t hurt, I promise.” She closes her eyes and kisses my thumb.
Watching her purse those lips against my pad, I want them to be on my lips. I remove my thumb and fuck it. I bring my lips to hers and gently peck the cut. She opens her eyes, parting her lips and she sucks in a breath.
I want to slide my tongue in and ravish her, suck her lip and lick the cut like an animal would lick their wounds. But my head instinctually goes to the side, and I wrap her in a tight embrace and tell her how sorry I am. I feel her lips press against my cheek.
“I know you're sorry, but you have nothing to be sorry about, Cal.”
She doesn’t know I mean for everything. I’m sorry for treating her like crap when I found out I had a son. I’m sorry for seducing her and ruining her marriage. But most of all, I’m sorry for pushing her away in our teens.
* * *
STEPH
While Caleb is napping,I pick up my book with the tattooed guy on the cover. I know I’ve never read this book before because it’s not listed on my Goodreads account where I rate every book I’ve read, but I can recall the storyline.
A knock on the front door breaks my concentration. I open the door. “Justin? Everything all right?”
“Yeah. Can I come in?”
I step aside, allowing him to walk through the hallway, then glance outside, looking for the kids. “Where are the kids?”
“Maxine’s taken them to the cinema. I wanted to talk to you.” He walks into the kitchen.
“Okay, do I need to put the kettle on, or is this a quick visit?”
“I think you better put the kettle on. Is Callum about?”
“He’s grocery shopping.”
Justin takes hold of my arm. “It’s heeled nicely, not a scar in sight.”
“It’s the wrong arm.” I show him my other arm. “It feels so nice to have the cast off.”
“I bet. How’s your ribs?”
“Much better. It only hurts when I take a really deep breath.” I sit at the table opposite Justin with a pot of tea.
He unzips his hoodie and places some paperwork on the table. “I hope this isn’t a bad time. I’m going to ask Maxine to move in with me, full time, but I want to finalise our divorce first.”
I swallow. My voice comes out a little high. “That’s great.”
He smiles. “You just have to sign where the solicitor has added a sticky note. I’ll pay for everything and deal with it all. Keep the paperwork and read through it if you like.”
“I will, thank you.” He’s finally sorted everything out. I’m actually relieved more than anything. It’ll be nice to be officially single again.
“I guess Callum will be pleased.”
“What makes you say that?” I really don’t think Cal cares about my marital status. I mean, the only thing to change will be my name from a mrs to miss, which doesn’t really affect him.