She was just about to set off when Flora said, “Wait a sec.” Flora tapped the driving console in front of her three times, then did the same to her collarbone. “I’m sorry. I know I’m annoying.”

“Don’t ever say that. You could never be annoying to me.”

Mack finally pulled away and smiled as she listened to Flora talking to Dexter.

“Who’s my handsome wee boy? I missed you, yes, I missed you a lot.”

“How did you get on with your therapist today?” Mack asked.

“Good. She confirmed my autistic spectrum disorder. I suppose I can understand why I am like I am now.”

“Definitely,” Mack said. “It’s a good thing to know. Talk about anything else?”

“Yes, a few things. She prescribed me a new kind of medication which is supposed to be good for anxiety and OCD.”

“That’s great. I’m proud of you, going yourself and everything.”

“It’s only because I’m comfortable with her, and that I’ve got your support,” Flora said.

Mack squeezed her thigh, “It’s all about you, wee mouse.” She left her hand on Flora’s thigh and said, “Is this okay? I just want to be close to you.”

Flora answered by covering Mack’s hand with hers. “Of course it is.”

“You do know you can tell me any time that you need some space.”

Flora nodded and smiled. “I know. I was talking to Dr. Carrson about this kind of thing with you, at my appointment.”

“What kind of thing?”

“Intimacy,” Flora whispered.

Mack’s heart was racing again. “What kind of…intimacy?”

“I’ll maybe tell you later.” Flora winked.

* * *

“Go through. I’ll put your bag in the bedroom.”

Mack strode down the hall to the guest bedroom and placed Flora’s bag carefully on the bed. She looked at herself in the wardrobe mirror and saw the tension etched across her face. She pulled off her jacket and threw it on the bed.

She had never been more nervous. She and Flora were meeting Nikki and Jay and Annie for the first time as a couple. She knew how hard this was for Flora, like when she met Isy, but Nikki was a different prospect altogether. Flora was making such a special effort for her, pushing herself to do things she would never have even considered before, and all for Mack. That made her feel even more protective of her.

Mack threw her head back and let out a frustrated sigh. She’d felt like a coiled spring ever since Flora kissed her at the door. Mack had a deep hunger inside for Flora, something she had never experienced, but she was well aware that loving Flora would have to be different.