“So, Kristian, you’re in love with my daughter, aren’t you?”

Well, shit.

We haven’t even been on the road for ten minutes, and already Wenn is proving to be a very perceptive woman. And a nosy one.

Trying to prevent the panic I feel in my gut bubbling to the surface, I choose my words carefully.

“I care about her, yes.”

Her snort takes me by surprise, and I raise my eyes in question.

On a shake of her head, she looks back to the road.

“Okay, I’m not going to give you the third degree, lad, but let me give you some advice about my daughter.”

Squirming in my seat, I glance at her profile, waiting for her to continue. I have a really bad feeling about this.

“Don’t bullshit her.”

I wait, but when she doesn’t elaborate, I can’t hold my tongue.

“Okay, I’ll bite. What, exactly, do you mean by that?”

Her lips twitch with amusement, and I narrow my eyes at her. She’s enjoying this way too much.

“Only that I want you to be honest with her, Kristian. Nothing more, nothing less. Don’t fluff around, making promises you don’t intend to keep. Her heart was shattered and it hasn’t quite healed yet.”

I grit my teeth but tamp down my irritation.

“I wasn’t planning to.”

Satisfied, she nods once.

“Good. That’s all I wanted to hear. Now we can enjoy the rest of the drive, and you can start by telling me all about yourself.”

I breathe softly as I groan on the inside.

Then I do as she says, telling her about my past life—full disclosure seems to be the way to go with this woman. My instincts tell me that even though I don’t know Wenn, I know she won’t betray my trust. When I’m done rehashing much of my life, without going into too many details, she turns a wide stare my way.

“Whoa. You’ve got as much baggage as my daughter has, haven’t you? I wish you good luck. You’re going to need it if you’re to break down that stubborn girl of mine.”

I smirk and shake my head as she stops in front of Alex’s home that he shares with his dad.

Something tells me that she’s right. But I also know that I’m the right man for the task.

* * *

“Trish, please tell me what to do,” I beg as I drive home. The moment I told — goodbye at her friend, Cat’s house—and made sure that her Mum had my mobile number—I knew I needed to talk with my best friend about everything that’s happened.

“Babe,” she chuckles gleefully, “you already know what to do. You don’t need me to tell you that.”

I frown as I turn on the indicator.

“What do you mean?”

“Shag the fuck out of him!”

The excited squeal in my ear makes me cringe in fright.

“Are you out of your freaking mind?” I shout. “I’m in my car right now, almost home, but I’m pretty sure your girly screech could be heard all the way to Glasgow.”

“Well, excuse me for being excited for you, Laura.”

“Please be serious for once, Trish?”

She huffs and remains quiet for a couple of seconds before she starts to talk again.

“Okay, here’s what you’re going to do. Are you listening to me, Laura?”

“Hang on,” I mutter and slow down the car until I’ve stopped completely and put the handbrake on. “Yes, I’m listening.”

“Good. You’re going to stop thinking for once, and you’re going to enjoy yourself as much as you can, as often as possible, and you’re going to show that delicious piece of man meat what a fantastic woman you are.”

“But –” I start.

“And then you’re going to tell him about James, and all those secrets you hold so close to your heart, Laura.”

My heart jumps in my chest.

“I don’t think I can,” I whisper.

“Oh, but yes, you bloody well can.” Her voice has turned so serious that I hardly recognise her. “Because if he can’t take that—if he can’t take all the ugly parts of your past, and shoulder that burden for you—then he’s not the right guy for you. And then you’ll know.”

“Know what?”

“That at least you’re strong enough to take a chance again—and, sweetie, that’s the greatest gift you can give yourself.” She stops talking, but then chuckles, taking me by surprise. “Plus, you’ll know that your woman parts still function—always a plus.”

“Trish!” I roll my eyes at her. “Honestly, you’re a nut.”

“I know,” she trills in my ear, making my lips twitch.

“So?” she asks me.

“So, what?”

“Oh, God, woman!” she huffs. “Are you going to do as I say?”

“Maybe,” I mutter and release the handbrake before I put the car into first gear and ease up on the clutch. “Well, I’ll think about it.”

“No, no, no! Stop right there. No thinking—just shagging, remember?”

I snort and shake my head at her crudeness.

“Right, right,” I mutter as I pull up the car in front of my home. A car I don’t recognise is parked next to the stable, and I frown as I turn off the ignition and step out.

“Are you still there?” Trish raises her voice a little, and I blink.

“I have to go,” I murmur to her as I watch Mum open the front door, an overnight bag in her hand.

“Okay, but please ring me tomorrow? I need more details, and I actually have something I need to talk with you about as well.”

That piques my curiosity.

“Oh? Is it good or bad news?”

“Umm…not sure. But it calls for some major girl-talk time, and you’re the only one who I can speak with about this, Laura. So, carve out some time for me, and ring me. Promise?”

“Okay, I promise.” I look down at my feet as Mum comes to stand before me, trying to focus on my best friend again.

“You’re kind of freaking me out now, honey. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I promise. Now, go. We’ll talk tomorrow. Bye!”

And then the line goes dead. That’s typical of Trish—she never gives you a chance to say goodbye when you’re on the phone with her. It’s always been that way.

“Everything okay?” Mum asks me, a puzzled look in her eyes.

I tap my phone on my chin, lost in thought.

“I hope so, but you know Trish.” I give her a crooked smile and raise my eyes at her when she nods.

“I do.”

“Anyway, what’s with the bag?” I point at her feet.

Mum winks at me and picks it up.

“I realised that I hadn’t met up with Anna for a while so, seeing as Ailith has a sleepover, I rang her, and I’m going to stay with her tonight. Have a catch-up.”

My mouth pops open, and I think my eyes are bulging.

“You’re what?”

She laughs as she snatches the keys to my Beetle.

“You heard me, lass. Now, there’s plenty of food in the fridge, and you have my mobile if you need me.”

Struck mute, I watch as she walks to the boot and hefts her bag into it.

“But I doubt you will,” she says as the shuts it. “Not when Kristian is here.”

I grit my teeth.

“What, pray tell, is that supposed to mean, Mum?”

She shakes her head a little and then walks towards me, wrapping her arms around my waist for a hug.

“There’s condoms in your bedside table,” she whispers in my ear.

I groan with mortification.

“Mum!” I hiss. “Where the heck…?”

“Be safe, and have fun,” she interrupts as she steps away from me. “Don’t think about it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mutter as I cross my arms. “And why is everyone telling me to stop thinking all of a sudden?”

Mum opens the door to my car, shaking her head at me.

“You know as well as I do that you have a tendency to overthink every single thing, lass, and that will only bring you more wrinkles and grey hairs.”

I don’t have a clever comeback for that one.

“Say hi to Anna for me,” I offer instead as she starts the car.

“Will do.” She smiles at me and then she’s off.

I can’t believe my own mother just hijacked my car. What the fudge is going on?

And how the heck did she get condoms?

Cringing at the thought, I rub my hands over my face.

I don’t want to know.

Resolved to forget the last ten minutes of my life, I head to the house and up to my room. A long bath is what I need right now.

* * *

Six p.m. and I’m pacing up and down the loft, about to lose my fucking mind.

Not one text. Not all day, despite the fact Laura said she would text me.

Frustrated, I run a hand through my damp hair rush to my bed and check my phone for the millionth time. The screen is still blank, mocking me.

“Fuck.”

I know Laura’s been home for hours, and yet, I’ve heard nothing. I’m not worried about her, and I’m not on some weird, possessive, power trip, but it kind of hurts that she hasn’t done as she promised.

I stop in the middle of the flat, pulling on my lip.

“Fuck it,” I mutter and pull on my boots. I’ve had enough of waiting. Just as I grab my phone, it vibrates in my hand. My heart skips a beat as I see her name lighting up the screen.

Blood buzzing, I type as fast as I can.

The silence drags as I wait for her next move.

“Oh, you have no idea, sweetheart,” I murmur as I text her back.

I grab my jacket and keys, then rush down the stairs and move through the stable. I should probably feel disgusted with myself for rushing to her, but I don’t give a flying fuck. If she’s cooked for me, that means she’s prepared to spend more than a short time with me.

I’ll take each second she wants to give me, no questions asked.