I glanced at her, but she was now looking out of the car window. I sighed. ‘I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.’

‘But honest,’ said Callie.

The truth but not the whole truth. If only she knew—

forty-nine. Sephy

The moment I stepped through the front door, Sonny had me in a bear hug, making me squeal with alarm then delight. We’d exchanged spare front-door keys a while ago for convenience, but I didn’t expect him to be waiting in my hall.

‘What the hell, Sephy?’ he said after a kiss. ‘You said lunchtime.’

‘I know. I’m sorry. The stuff I had to do took longer than I thought.’

‘I’ve been worried.’

I placed one hand against his cheek, stroking it gently. I needed to stop treating Sonny as if he were a commodity in my life that I could take or leave as required. ‘I’m sorry, Sonny. I missed you.’

‘Missed you too,’ Sonny replied, only slightly mollified. ‘I’ll make you a sandwich and a cup of coffee. You eat, then tell me just what’s been going on.’

I quirked an eyebrow at his imperious tone. But Sonny’s lips tightened. He wasn’t going to apologize for going complete caveman on me.

‘Sephy, I’ve been worried sick and thinking all sorts. You’ve got to put me out of my misery.’

‘I was going to. I’ve been racing around since I got up and I’m shattered,’ I admitted. ‘No doubt I look every minute of my age.’

Sonny gently took my chin in his hand and looked into my eyes. ‘Behave yourself. You still look exactly the same as when I first saw you,’ he said, before giving me a short, gentle kiss. We exchanged a smile.

‘You’re such a liar, but I love you for it,’ I teased. The words rolled out before I could stop them.

‘Do you, Sephy? Do you love me … for it?’

My heart began to bump inside me. I placed a hand on Sonny’s face, caressing his cheek. ‘I’m marrying you, aren’t I?’

A grin split Sonny’s face, the light in his eyes blinding. ‘Yes, you are.’

This man had placed his entire happiness in my hands and it was heavy and hot, and it was a struggle not to turn my palms and drop it. Sonny loved me. He deserved nothing less in return. And I would do my best, but would it be enough? If I even had to ask—

Sephy, you’re not being fair to him—

I quelled the whispering voice in my head and followed him into the kitchen. We had a lot to discuss.

‘While you’re making the coffee, I need to check something on the General Records Office website.’

‘Check what?’

‘I’ll tell you if it pans out, otherwise it’s not worth wasting your time.’

‘How d’you want your coffee – black or latte?’