Maybe she was falling for Dexter rather than Matt.

She stole a look at Matt. He was watching her, his eyes alive with warmth, affection even. For me, or for Dexter?

“He’s definitely taken by you,” Matt said.

Jules laughed self-deprecatingly. “It’s easy to win over a dog. Just give them lots of kisses and love. Isn’t that right, Dex?” she added, baby-talking as she ruffled the dog’s fur. Dexter yapped in obvious agreement and she grinned.

“I don’t know about that,” said Matt. “I wasn’t kidding when I told you he’s selective about making new friends. He’s smitten.” Jules pressed her lips together anticipating his next words. “That makes two of us.” She’d been right, but there was no use in getting her hopes up. Those were just words and she had no idea how she felt about their situation. The only thing she was certain of at that moment, was she liked his dog. A lot.

*

“Comfy?” Matt asked as they swung gently in an oversized hammock.

“So comfy,” Jules replied. She nestled into the crook of Matt’s arm, her head resting on his shoulder. He drew his fingers gently back and forth across her upper back and she could occasionally feel the brush of his bandage against her skin.

The motion—both the hammock and Matt’s hand—helped soothe her frazzled nerves. It was his explanation to give and she knew she shouldn’t rush him, yet she felt seconds away from blurting out, “Who the hell is Kirsten?” She bit the inside of her mouth to stop the words.

Matt sighed and Jules tried to read its tone. Then he sighed again, sparking annoyance. “Just say it,” she snapped, instantly regretting it. “Sorry,” she mumbled.

“Hey.” He reached under her chin and tipped her head towards him. She wasn’t comfortable contorted like that, so she tried to readjust her position, sending the hammock into a jarring lurch to one side.

“Whoa,” they both said together. Matt placed a steadying hand on the ground, righting the hammock.

Jules bit her lip, trying without luck to supress a giggle. “Oops, sorry.”

He shook his head at her, grinning. “I’ve never had another person in here with me. It’s a little more precarious than I thought it would be. You should be getting danger pay.” It was enough to break the tension she’d felt building since they’d left the hospital and she laughed along with him. She made a small adjustment in her position, slowly this time, so she could see his face.

“So …” she said, bravely wandering into unknown emotional territory. It seemed to be just the gentle nudge that Matt needed.

“So …” He sighed again, catching himself when Jules gave an exasperated, “Argh.”

“Sorry! No more sighs, I promise. Right. Kirsten. I should probably start at the beginning.” Jules watched his face closely, seeing a dozen emotions cross it and, without him saying it, Jules knew that Matt had loved Kirsten. And she did not like how that realisation made her feel.