He takes my hand and walks me out of the French doors, across the terrace, and down the steps to the lawn. It’s almost dark, but the gardens are illuminated by the light flooding out from the windows of the house.

‘Thank you for today,’ I begin, but he turns and pulls me into his arms, tugging me close and burying his face in my neck.

‘God, I miss you. I miss you so fucking much.’

I’ve seen him every single day since we got back from the US, but I’m in no doubt about what he means. No doubt at all.

I wrap my arms around his back and I allow myself to breathe him in, to luxuriate in the unparalleled joy of being engulfed in his huge body. For two people who used to fuck like rabbits, deliberate celibacy is a real effort. And yet I’m quite aware that, moments like this, days like today, are more intimate in other ways. More meaningful.

‘I miss you too,’ I murmur, and he hugs me more tightly.

‘Today was no effort at all. Spending time with Tabs is a joy. She’s bloody amazing.’

‘You’re great with her,’ I tell him. ‘She has the time of her life with you.’ It’s the truth, and I’m not about to deprive Brendan of that truth, no matter how uncertain our future is.

‘And I with her. But I know this kind of stuff is the fair-weather side of parenting. Anyone can have fun in a pool on a sunny day.’ He kisses my temple. ‘I promise you, sweetheart, I’m going to prove to you that I’m capable of sticking around for the tough stuff, too. I’m not going anywhere, and I’m willing to wait for as long as it takes to prove to you that I will never let you and Tabs down. Ever.’

CHAPTER 55

Brendan

Organising a first date with the woman you’ve given your heart to should be easy when you’re a billionaire. We’ve all seen Pretty Woman, right? Take a jet to another city for an evening at the opera. But while Marlowe would love a night at the opera, she’d hate the flashy side of that gesture. The unnecessary expense. So I have to tread carefully here.

Here’s the thing, though. I want to spend money on her. She’s squirrelling every last penny away for Tabby’s future medical needs, a fact that breaks my heart and terrifies me in equal measure, because once she’s happy that that pot is adequate, she’ll be handing in her notice and running for the hills. She’s far too proud to keep taking her current salary for a regular EA role.

My only hope is to win her trust so fully in the meantime that she agrees to enter into an official romantic relationship with me.