Striding across the kitchen, head held high, Grace was not shaken by his presence; this was her house, her territory, and he was the intruder. Picking up the cafetière, she poured the remaining contents into a travel mug before spinning around on her heel, careful not to have her back to him for too long. He was up off his chair and standing in front of her before she could move another inch. He was so close that she could smell the expensive soap he’d used that morning. She glared at him. What the hell was he up to?

‘Anymore of that coffee?’ he asked, his voice low and calm. Reaching behind her to lift the pot; he almost pinned her to the kitchen counter as he did so.

‘No, all gone.’ she said, placing her free hand on his chest to create some distance between them.

‘No worries. I’ll make a cup of tea instead,’ he said before moving to the sink to fill the kettle.

‘You do realize Jake’s going to uni in a couple of months, don’t you?’ she said.

‘So?’ Nathan shrugged.

‘He doesn’t need you filling his head full of crap about how wonderful your life is in the meantime,’ she snapped.

‘I can’t help it if the kid idolizes me, Grace,’ he smirked. ‘I have that effect on people. You should know.’ He winked.

‘Ha,’ she snorted. ‘You haven’t had that effect on me for a very long time, Nathan.’

He lit a cigarette and sat back down at the kitchen table as he waited for the kettle to boil. She didn’t bother to tell him she didn’t allow smoking in her house; deciding she had a bigger axe to grind with him.

‘If he gets into any trouble because of you, Nathan, I’ll—’

‘You’ll what, Grace?’ He smirked, but she could see the anger flash momentarily across his face.

‘Just remember he’s an eighteen-year-old kid, with his whole life ahead of him, Nathan. Do not do anything to screw that up for him.’

He shrugged. ‘Whatever you say.’

Grace watched him as he blew smoke rings across the kitchen.

‘This is a nice place you’ve got yourself here,’ he said, changing the subject, his eyes twinkling as he talked. ‘The pub must be doing well?’