The following morning, Livvy almost bounded out of bed even though the sunlight had woken her long before her alarm.

A slow smile built across her face as her mind turned back to the previous evening. Sharing her past with Gabe had been the right thing to do because she felt lighter—as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Finally, she could stand tall and almost pain free. She could barely believe they’d met less than a week ago. He was incredibly easy to talk to. He didn’t interrupt, and he gave her his full attention. Those intense green eyes read every nuance in her body language and every inflection in her voice. He understood the things she’d said, as well as the things she hadn’t.

And to think she’d assumed he was an egotistical dick after their initial meeting at Sam’s bar. Oh, she had no doubt he had a big ego—What successful businessman didn’t?—But he was also thoughtful, kind, caring… and hot.

Livvy climbed out of the shower and dried herself off. After slipping into a T-shirt and shorts, she padded into the kitchen and stuck two slices of rye bread into the toaster. While she waited for the toast to pop, she picked up her phone. No missed calls or texts from Gabe, although when he’d left the previous night after her “on-the-cheap” shrink session, they’d made no further plans.

Livvy rubbed the back of her neck as a heaviness settled in her stomach. Why hadn’t she asked him to call? What if she’d scared him off with her neurosis and he decided he didn’t need a complication like her in his oh-so-wonderful life?

She chewed on the inside of her cheek. When they were together, he pushed away all negative thoughts, but when he wasn’t around, she was fraught with self-doubt. All of the uncertainty about why he wanted to spend time with her came flooding back, and the heavy burden of guilt that returned when he wasn’t close made her stomach twist with anxiety. And that brought its own concerns. She was enjoying being with Gabe a little too much, already relying on him to make her feel better. Maybe some distance would do her good.

After eating her breakfast outside, she wandered into the kitchen, leaving the door open so that she could hear the birds tweeting. Her phone dinged with an incoming text. She glanced at the banner across the screen—Gabe. With sweaty palms and trembling hands, she swiped at her cell.

Hope you’re feeling okay today. Are you free later? Say around twelve?

Livvy twisted her hair into a knot before she typed a reply.

What did you have in mind?

She stared at her phone, willing it to make the text sound she realized she was starting to crave. Such a simple sound had a hell of a thrill attached to it. She didn’t have to wait long.

Do you own a pair of hiking boots?

She tapped a response. No.

She hung on, waiting for another text from him, but when one wasn’t forthcoming, her shoulders dropped. She picked up the latest novel that had captured her attention and headed back outside. She still had an hour before her Skype call with Ches, and she wasn’t in the mood for a run.

She’d only read a couple of chapters when she heard a knock at her door. She put the book down beside her and climbed to her feet, a frown drifting across her face. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Then her pulse jolted. God, maybe it was Gabe. She took a quick glance at her reflection, tucked a few strands of stray hairs behind her ears, and cursed the lack of makeup on her pasty face.

With a deep breath, she peeked through the peephole. It wasn’t Gabe. Leaving the chain on, she opened the door and peered through the gap.

“Miss Hayes?” the guy asked.

“Yes,” she replied in a suspicious tone.

“I have a package for you.”

Livvy raised her eyebrows. “I’m not expecting anything.”

The delivery guy shrugged. “Can you sign here?” Through the small gap in the door, he passed her a clipboard with a pen attached by a grubby piece of string. Livvy scrawled her signature and handed it back.

He held up the large box. “Want me to leave this here?” He seemed legit, but she had no intention of taking any chances.

“Please.” She waited until he’d disappeared around the corner before closing the door to remove the chain. After picking up the box, she took it inside and went to the kitchen drawer that contained all manner of paraphernalia. She grabbed a box cutter and sliced through the tape.

She folded back the cardboard and pulled out reams of packaging. Nestled at the bottom were a pair of stout-looking hiking boots and a set of thick socks. Livvy’s mouth fell open. This couldn’t be a coincidence. Not thirty minutes before, Gabe had asked her if she owned a pair, and now, miraculously, a pair had been delivered.

She turned them over and looked at the sole and saw they were a size seven. Goddamn, the man had even picked the correct size.

“What the hell?” she muttered to herself. She reached for her phone and stabbed out a quick text. Ask me again about the boots.

Within seconds, he replied.

Do you own a pair of hiking boots?

Livvy began typing but then changed her mind about what she was going to say. Finally she typed out a text.

No, I don’t. However, rather worryingly, I’ve just had a pair gifted that happen to be my exact size. Oh, and socks too. Care to comment?

Yeah, he replied. Be ready by noon.

Livvy clenched her jaw. She almost called him but decided to wait until they were face-to-face. Then she would have a serious conversation with him about boundaries.

The reminder on her phone popped up, telling her it was time to call Ches. Livvy settled down in front of the TV and went into her apps. She dialed Ches’s number and waited for her connection.

Ches’s face appeared on the screen, and Livvy’s irritation with Gabe’s high-handed approach faded into the background.

“Hey, my lovely. Good to see you.”

Livvy grinned. “You too, Ches. Looking good, hon.”

Ches rolled her eyes. “You obviously can’t see the spot right in the middle of my forehead that decided to spring up from nowhere on the very day I have a date.”

Livvy leaned forward. “A date? Tell all.”

Ches looked at her directly. “I will… after you tell me what’s made your eyes sparkle in a way I haven’t seen in far too long.”

Livvy laughed out loud. She’d never been able to keep anything from Ches, who’d always seen through her as easily as looking through clear glass.

Livvy nibbled on her thumbnail and gave a coy smile. “I might have sort of met someone, although not really. Honestly, I’m not sure what it is. Could be nothing. Could be something.”

Ches’s face grew larger as she crept closer to the screen. “I want to know everything. Spill.”

Livvy gave a quick recap of the last few days.

Ches’s shocked expression when Livvy told her she’d jumped out of a plane was priceless. “So, who is this miracle worker who has brought out an adventurous side of you that I’ve never seen.”

Livvy inhaled a deep breath through her nose. “His name’s Gabe Mitchell.”

Ches wrinkled her nose. “What does he do?”

“He owns a company,” Livvy said.

“What sort of company?”

When Livvy mentioned the name, Ches’s eyes widened. “Livvy, that’s one of the biggest companies in the world. Hell, that company makes the bloody phone I’m talking to you on.”

Livvy giggled. “I know.”

“Holy fuck.” Ches’s mouth parted, and she shook her head as though she had water in her ears. “Hang on. I’m Googling him.”

Her face disappeared for a few minutes. When she returned, the previous delight had faded, and in its place was a very serious-looking Ches. “Oh, Liv, are you sure? I mean, he seems a bit of a playboy. According to Google, he’s only had one serious relationship, and that seems to have been with a woman whose face looks so stiff from being injected with Botox, I’m surprised she can move it at all.”

Livvy tensed her spine. “I’ve only had one serious relationship.”

“It’s hardly the same,” Ches said with concern. “This guy seems to go through women as fast as I go through wine. They’re all one-date wonders.”

“Well, as I’m on date three today, I’d say I’m not doing too badly.”

Ches gave Livvy a pained stare. “Be careful. That’s all I’m going to say. Don’t get me wrong, Liv. I’m beyond thrilled you’re finally coming out the other side of a hell that would have finished off most people, but please take care on this one. I say that from a position of love, not because I’m such a bitch that I want to strip the first genuine smile from your face I’ve seen since Mark died.”

Livvy rubbed at her eyebrow. “I know you are, and I will be careful. I promise. I only want to have a little fun.”

“As long as you tell yourself that’s all it is, then go for it. God knows you deserve all the happiness you can find. But do me a favor, please. Keep reminding yourself that this guy doesn’t do relationships. As long as you have that at the forefront of your mind, then when he moves on, you’ll have at least protected yourself.”

A hollow feeling spread through Livvy’s stomach—a sensation that scared the hell out of her—because she knew that Ches was right. Yet the level to which her words stung was worrying.

“I promise.” She kept her face neutral and her tone light. “Now, let’s hear all about this date of yours.”

Fifteen minutes later, Livvy ended the Skype call. She looked forward to her weekly chats with Ches but wished she hadn’t bothered today. Ches’s frankness was something she hadn’t wanted to hear, even though she knew her friend only had Livvy’s best interests at heart. She’d spent the last two years in such terrible pain and turmoil, most days not wanting to live, yet the last few days had taught her that she had so much to look forward to. She didn’t expect this thing—whatever it was—with Gabe to last, but that didn’t mean she shouldn’t go with it and live a little. Her heart was so damaged anyway that she was sure another few cuts wouldn’t make too much of a difference.

Half an hour before noon, she got ready, pulled on the hiking boots, which fit perfectly, and waited for Gabe to arrive.