Page 304 of The Grand Duel

I’m not the dad to this baby.

I’m not putting anything on anyone.

I’m just Charles.

Hers, and hers alone.

Fuck.

I push open my car door, rounding the bonnet and stepping into the cottage.

“Scar?” Lissie calls out from the kitchen.

I step in through the archway, spotting her frantically washing up the dishes at the sink.

“I’m sorry, I know it’s your day off, but I feel like I’m snowballing, and I can’t stop. Charles has gone, and I could tell he was nervous, and now I feel awful that I haven’t gone with him…”

I slip my arms around her waist, breathing her in.

Her body goes rigid, her head twisting up to see me.

Smiling, I shake my head.

“Put the kettle on, Lis,” I say, watching her face fall in disbelief.

And with those five words, I just know that everything is going to be okay.

EPILOGUE

Lissie

Three years later...

“You’re tired.”

Feeling heavy-eyed and in need of this day to end, I peer up at Charlie and smile. “I’m okay. I’ve been looking forward to tonight all week.”

With my exams coming up, I’ve been busy studying most evenings, leaving Charles and the dogs a little lost.

They tend to follow me from room to room with sad eyes.

All three of them.

“I went shopping especially for you at lunch today.”

“You did?”

I nod. “Uh-huh.”

His smirk is soft, boyish. “What did you buy—for me.”

“That’s a surprise. If you’re well behaved between now and home, you might get lucky, and I’ll show you.”

“Baby, I hope you’ve not wasted our money on new underwear because I’m not sure I’ve got the patience tonight.”He looks over at me, his handsome face momentarily taking my breath away. “And I’ve been a good boy all week.”

I smile. “You have. That is true. Do you not want a little treat?”

“Just you.” His eyes go between me and the road. “Just you, Lis.”