Grace watched the exchange between Michael and Nathan intently. She had no idea what they were talking about but things looked like they were getting heated. Eventually Nathan stood up and stormed out. If only she could have that effect on him.

Michael walked over to her at the bar. ‘Can I get a cup of coffee, Grace?’

‘’Course you can. What was all that about?’

‘Your ex-husband is an arrogant twat. That’s what. One of these days, I’m going to wipe that smug grin off his face permanently.’

‘Well whatever you said must have worked. I’ve never seen him walk out of here so fast.’

‘Sorry about that. I couldn’t help it.’

‘Don’t apologize. I wish I could get rid of him that quickly.’

He looked at her and shook his head. ‘I know, but I said something I probably shouldn’t.’

‘What did you say to him, Michael?’ she snapped.

Before he could answer, Marcus walked up to them. He draped a slender arm over Grace’s shoulder. At six foot three, he towered over her.

‘Hey Michael,’ he said. ‘We don’t see you around much these days?’

‘I’ve been busy,’ Michael replied.

‘You used to practically live in this place,’ Marcus continued.

‘Yeah well, things change, don’t they?’ He looked at Grace as he said it and she had to stop herself from rolling her eyes.

‘Grab us some more filters from the stock room, would you, lovely?’ she said to Marcus. ‘The one in the coffee machine needs replacing.’

Marcus promptly did as he was asked.

‘I have some paperwork that needs your signature, boss,’ Michael said. She glared at him. He only called her boss when he was trying to be funny or he wanted to piss her off. She sensed it was the latter.

‘Can you leave it on my desk? You remember where that is, don’t you?’ she sniped.

‘Forget the coffee,’ he snapped. ‘I’ll leave the papers upstairs.’

Michael came back down to the bar a few minutes later as Grace was just sitting down with a cup of coffee of her own.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘Nathan just pushes my buttons.’

‘He pushes everyone’s buttons. It’s like his super-power.’ Grace smiled.

‘I know I haven’t been around much lately. I’ll make sure I’m here more often, now that he’s back.’

She placed a hand on his arm. ‘Don’t worry about it. You’re here when you’re needed. You have other priorities now and that’s fine.’

‘Don’t say it like that, Grace.’ He frowned.

‘Like what?’ she frowned back at him. ‘I’m not looking for an argument with you, despite how much you seem to want to start one today.’

He stepped closer to her. Resting his hand on the small of her back, he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. ‘I miss you,’ he whispered.