“But they called you back. That’s got to mean something.” She wipes the counter down with a wet cloth. “Call me afterward and maybe we can go see a movie tonight?”

I lean over the counter and peck her on the lips. Yesterday, we had our first date. Today, all I want to do is keep kissing her.

“You’re right. Mac thinks I’ve got a good chance.”

“That’s your agent, right? You have to listen to him.” She cocks her head.

“I guess.”

“You told me if you don’t get a job you have to go back to Florida at Christmas. Grab whatever opportunities you can while you’re here. You don’t want to leave with any regrets.”

Memories flood back while I watch Delaney sleeping. If she’d let me slack off that day, I would have skipped the call-back and never got the job.

And I do have regrets. Not about the job, but about what happened between us.

But now I have to be philosophical about it. My job led me back to her.

We lost six years, but I don’t plan on losing any more.

Twenty-Five

Josh

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The beat of the music fills my ears, and I reach out to touch Delaney. The bed’s still warm, but she’s not there.

Memories of the night before wash over me. I never thought being with her again was possible, but here we are in a small town in New Zealand, piecing it all back together.

I reach for my boxers on the floor and tug them on.

Slipping out of bed, I open the bedroom door. The music’s coming from the living room, and if I’m not mistaken it’s “Raise Your Glass” by P!NK.

What I see makes me grin.

Delaney’s dressed in a tank top and shorts, and she’s holding Amelia’s hands as they dance around the living room. They break apart, and Amelia giggles as they keep dancing up a storm, Delaney’s hips swaying to the music.

I get heart pangs at the sight.

Slipping up behind Delaney, I place my hands on her hips, moving with her as she laughs loudly.

“Josh!” Amelia squeals.

“You two look like you’re having all the fun,” I say. Grabbing Delaney around the waist, I pull her onto the sofa. Her grin lights up her whole face. She lunges forward and pecks me on the lips.

“What about me?” Amelia asks.

Delaney grabs our daughter and pulls her toward us, covering her face in kisses in the process. More giggles fill the air, and my heart.

“Good morning, Amelia,” I say.

“Good morning.” She jumps up on the sofa between Delaney and me. “Can we have breakfast?”

“I’ll go and make something.” Delaney stands and switches off the music. “Why don’t you show Josh your favourite morning cartoon?”

“I should get dressed,” I say.