“It won’t kill you.”

I nod. “Fine. Just one. As long as we can get something to eat too because I’m starving.”

She smiles. “Of course.”

* * *

“This was such a good idea.” I cut into a slice of beef and fork a piece of roast potato, moaning as I take in the flavour.

“Told you. We should make a date for the Sunday roast more often. They start serving it from eleven.” She picks up a potato with her fork. “You don’t even have to come to church with me.”

“I didn’t mind this morning.”

She laughs. “You weren’t even paying attention. You’ve got Josh on the brain.”

I sigh. “That’s hardly surprising.” Playing my bottom lip between my teeth, I study her for a moment. “He kissed me.”

Pania puts her fork down. “Wait. What? You missed that bit.”

“Apparently the things I heard him say about me? It was a misunderstanding.” I wince. “They were lines from a movie. The movie.”

Her mouth falls open. “Oh my God. You thought …”

“The casting director wanted to hear him run through some of the lines. All this time. If I’d seen the damn movie, I would have known.”

Pain crosses her features. She’s the one who held me when I cried over him, who stood by me when every pregnancy test I bought was positive, and who gave me a home when I needed it. I wouldn’t be where I am without my best friend.

“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry.”

I shrug. “Josh was remarkably calm about the whole thing. But I think a big part of it is that he wants me back.”

“He said that?”

Nodding, I pick up another potato. “He did. He’s still an amazing kisser too. That tongue of his …”

“I hate you.” Pania laughs.

“It’s true. I can’t help it if it’s true.”

She grins, and I let out a long, slow breath. When I’ve finished here, I need to go and talk to him. Regardless of what happens between us, he’s entitled to see his daughter.

The thought of them having a relationship warms my heart.

It’s the second chance I never got with my father.

And no matter what, my daughter deserves that opportunity.

Eighteen

Delaney

My heart’s in my stomach all the way up that mountain. Seeing the house Josh has rented again just emphasises the massive gap between us. It puts my tiny rental to shame. This is the lifestyle he’s used to now. We’re worlds apart when we were once so similar.

He opens the door before I get to it.

“Where’s Amelia?” he asks.

“She’s still at her friend’s place. I’ll pick her up on the way home.”

He shoots me a smile, but it’s missing the magic it usually has. “I hope she had fun.”