Leave Me Breathless Read online Jodi Ellen Malpas

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Romance Tags Authors: Jodi Ellen Malpas Advertisement

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‘Well, you look more like you’ve been run over to me, but whatever,’ Hannah says with complete indifference, reaching across me and opening the door. ‘Get out.’

I don’t argue with her. Why the hell would I? Edging out of the car, I rise to find Hannah has already made it to me. She holds her hand out. I take it. And we move down the high street toward my daughter, constantly flicking glances to each other as we go. I can see Hannah’s happiness. She’s missed my stinky Cabbage, too.

We come to a stop outside the shop a few feet away from Alex, who is still oblivious to our presence, and I feel Hannah squeeze my hand. But she’s not looking at Alex. She’s looking at the newspaper stand outside the shop.

TECH GIANT FOUND DEAD

AT HIS SCOTTISH CASTLE

I don’t need to move in to see the small print. Jake sent it to me last night. Poor Jarrad Knight got himself on the wrong side of some wrong people. I read the entire thing with a curled lip and then texted Lucinda a simple thank you. I didn’t get a response.

I turn into Hannah, worried this might trigger something. ‘Ha—’ I’m halted from trying to reassure her when I see she’s expressionless as she looks down at the picture of her dead ex-husband. There’s no anxiety. No fear. No anger. Nothing.

She breathes in, looks up at me, leans in and kisses my chin, and then redirects her attention down the road to Alex. ‘Hey, stinky Cabbage,’ she calls.

Alex quits with the scuffing of her Vans and spots us. ‘Dad!’ she squeals. ‘Oh my days, Dad!’ She races toward us fast, and I drop Hannah’s hand, instinctively getting ready to catch my girl. But she stops abruptly before jumping into my arms, leaving me hanging. ‘You look like crap,’ she says, taking a long, drawn-out assessment of me.

I straighten, quite put out. ‘Thanks.’

‘Much damage to the truck?’

‘Total write-off.’

‘And you look like hell, too,’ she says, looking across to Hannah, who then looks at me like I can offer some guidance. I can’t. I don’t know what to say or do. So I shrug. I only wanted a hug, for fuck’s sake.

Hannah returns my shrug, and we watch together as Alex’s smirk breaks, building and building until it’s splitting her face. ‘I’ve missed you guys so much!’ She grabs us both and pulls us in, one of her arms around each of our necks.

I swallow down the pain and look across her shoulder, seeing Hannah’s eyes closed, her smile small but peaceful. ‘I’ve stocked up the fridge with beer and the freezer with Chunky Monkey,’ Alex declares. ‘We’re having burgers tonight.’

‘Where did you buy beer?’ I ask.

‘I didn’t. Mum did.’ She releases us and puts herself between our bodies, taking a hand in each of hers. Darcy bought me beers? ‘I’ll cook,’ Alex goes on. ‘It’s my treat. And I’ll do breakfast in bed for you, too.’ She continues to reel off the plans for the evening, while Hannah and I remain silent, constantly glancing across at each other as Alex leads us on.

‘Alexandra!’

We stop and turn, and I see Darcy outside the shop with a bag of shopping. She takes me in, up and down, a small frown on her face. ‘Hey, Mum,’ Alex chirps. ‘I’m gonna hang with Dad and Hannah tonight.’

I expect fireworks. There are none. ‘Okay, darling.’ Darcy carries on her way to her car, looking back at me before she drops into the seat. She gives me a huge beam, the most genuine and human smile I’ve ever seen grace her face. That’s another bit of the peace I need slotting into place. I return her smile, hoping she sees how grateful I am.

I know she does when she nods mildly.

‘So, I’ve told you my plans,’ Alex says, getting us back to walking, swinging both of our hands as we go. ‘Now tell me yours.’

Fine by me. ‘Well, after you’ve fed and watered us, I’m going to ask Hannah if we can go to her place, pack all her stuff, and move it into the cabin.’

Hannah looks at me, not in shock, but more in an Oh? kind of way. ‘Okay,’ she says with a smile.

‘Sounds good to me,’ Alex agrees without a second thought.

‘Then I’m going to ask her to marry me,’ I declare, loud and proud. ‘And I hope she says yes.’

Hannah’s head cocks, her blue eyes wide but definitely delighted. ‘Guess you’ll have to ask and find out.’

‘Puh-lease,’ Alex scoffs, her stride turning into more of a skip. ‘You are so saying yes.’

‘We’ll see,’ Hannah muses casually.

I let my smirk escape, my mind immediately racing with all the ways I could ask her. It’s obvious. The lake. It has to be the lake. ‘Yes, we will,’ I agree.

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