No. She wasn’t stupid, she determined, refusing to be unkind to herself. She had known what she was doing the night they shared such incredible passion. Such heartfelt honesty. And she wouldn’t take it back for all the hurt she felt in that moment, or would probably continue to feel for quite some time. Henry had been right. She’d been hiding for too long now and she wouldn’t do it anymore. Giving herself to Henry had honoured her feelings for him. She had been truthful with herself, and he in turn had been truthful with her.

I can’t promise …

She knew how painful it was for him to be back in Hawke’s Cove. She’d seen the raw grief in his eyes not only that night, but before. How painful it was for him to be back at the estate that represented so much hurt and loss and how much strength it had taken for him to stay here as long as he had.

But she couldn’t deny that while he’d accused her of hiding, he’d been running. Running ever since the accident, trying to outpace the demons that still drove him to this day. She couldn’t – wouldn’t – ask him to face them. Only he could do that. And all she could hope was that she had met his hurt with comfort and acceptance. Hope that she had given him some sense of relief from that – even if it came at a personal cost to herself – because he deserved that much at least.

With a sigh she pushed up from the bed and threw off the covers. No matter what she felt, it was Victoria’s wedding today. And although suddenly it didn’t seem as all-consuming as it had in the last few months, it was going to be beautiful and wonderful and Lily would never let her own feelings ruin this day for her best friend. So with one last sweep of her cheek, Lily got into the shower and washed off the sadness, ready to face the day fresh and new.

And she wouldn’t be alone, she firmly told herself. She would have the best friends anyone could ever ask for. And with that thought, hope and love bloomed.

By the time she had cycled up to the Hawkesbury estate and round to the back entrance, she could see that the property was already humming with life. She locked up her bicycle and made her way into the kitchen, smiling the moment she caught the scent of the food being prepared by the busy kitchen.

‘And just what do you think you’re doing in here?’ Annabelle demanded.

Lily held up her hands in surrender. ‘Just grabbing breakfast for the girls.’

‘A breakfast that we are more than capable of managing and the staff is more than capable of delivering to the suite.’