A Matter of Truth (Fate, #3)

He laughs and runs a hand through his wonderfully messy hair; the silver ring on his thumb glints in the early morning light. I missed that ring. I’ve missed his laugh. I’ve missed that dimple. “Hi,” he says in return.

It’s the perfect come-on line, because I can’t help myself. I take three steps forward; he meets me with the same. And then my hand goes to the back of his head, my fingers curling in his lovely black hair, and I’m tugging his mouth down to mine. His arms go around me, which is a good thing, because once his tongue touches mine, my knees give out.

I think I could kiss this man all day long and never get tired of it.

We’ve obviously got a lot of work to do. Just because we’re here kissing, doesn’t mean everything that’s happened in the past two years is swept under the rug. I don’t want it to be ignored. I want us to deal with it once and for all. There are discussions still to be had, decisions to be made, more apologies to be spoken. But those can wait until after breakfast. For now, it’s heaven just to be able to kiss Jonah once more.

Minutes later, Will calls us in for breakfast. Smart boy for not coming in and interrupting. I don’t bother blushing, because there is no part of me right now embarrassed to be with Jonah.

Today is a good day. Today is all about new beginnings.

In the small dining room off the kitchen, Cameron motions to the table. “Come have a seat, you two.”

“Will’s a great cook,” I tell Jonah as we sit down. My voice is shaking again. The hummingbirds are back, clamoring in a panicked frenzy against my ribs. My mouth goes dry. He’s here. He’s really here with me, having breakfast. “His pancakes are the best. You’ll love them.”

Will sets a casserole dish down in the middle of the table. “Baked French toast, remember?”

Okay. Now I blush.

“Do you like to cook?” Will asks as he sits down on the other side of Jonah. “Because we all know how rubbish Chloe is at it. Five months at a diner, and she’s ace with coffee but can’t cook a meal to save her life.”

I worry that all this instant familiarity with Will and Cameron will rub Jonah the wrong way, that he’ll look at them and our shared history as yet another representation of my mistakes and choices. But he’s all ease when he says, “Astrid’s been teaching me recently.”

I cut a wedge of French toast out; it smells divine. “Really?”

He nods, his grin so adorable I melt into a blissful puddle once more. Before I completely become a useless lump of contentment, he turns back to Will. “I wouldn’t say I’m any good at it yet, though.”

“Unlike surfing.” Will leans back in his chair and chuckles. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt quite as inept at something as I did surfing next to you and your brother.”

“Were you awful?” I ask Will.

“Actually,” Jonah says, “he’s a natural. Surprised both me and Kel quite a bit.”

Will grins lazily at me.

“I went surfing a few times when I was a lad.” Cameron sets his coffee cup down. “Nothing exciting, just small waves, and I was shite at it, but I can definitely see its allure.”

Will’s intrigued. “When was this?”

“Oh, let’s see. I went on holiday to Cornwall with some schoolmates shortly before I enlisted in the RAF. Borrowed some boards and tried to impress some of the local lasses.” He chuckles, dark eyes sparkling. “Tried being the operative word. Crashed more than I stood, that’s the truth.”

Will laughs heartily. “Did it work?”

Cameron matches his laughter. Father and son sound so much alike. “I didn’t try too hard, son. You mum was waiting for me back home, and she would’ve skinned me alive had I done anything other than look.”

“Was this before or after Astrid?” I ask slyly.

As Cameron studies me, I school my face to radiate innocence. He eventually chuckles. “Obviously after.”

Will passes his father the syrup. “And look at you now, coming full circle.”

Cameron groans and throws his hands up.

“You and Astrid have lunch an awful lot lately, don’t you, Dad?” Will winks at me. “And send the kids out to get ice cream when you do. Chloe? Don’t you get the feeling ice cream is code for something?”

I smother my laughter and look over at Jonah. He’s focused on Cameron. I wonder what he feels in him. Cameron always comes across as so strong, so together, despite the blows he’s been dealt.

Cameron tugs at his collar. “William, I love you, but you are an arsehole.”

Will and I laugh and laugh. It’s easy to laugh now, with Jonah sitting here next to me. My laughter feels free.

Just as Cameron is about to take his first bit of French toast, Jonah says, “You should ask Astrid on a date.”

A good three seconds of stunned silence fills the room. Cameron doesn’t even put the fork in his mouth. Then Will and I crack up all over again.

“Or even,” Will says, “ask her out for ice cream.”

I’ve got tears now. Cameron sighs heavily, even though it’s obvious he’s amused with us.