Rory (Coded for Love 1)

Rory knew that. “He liked to joke about it, he called me a turncoat.”

“I can imagine.”

“Why send the customers away? I was willing to learn and I promised I’d take care of it.”

“It was one of the things he respected about you, your willingness to take responsibility. He wanted you to have what he left you.”

“But what about you?”

“The money, the stocks and shares, that’s all good. I’ll keep it invested for my kids. Rory, my husband has his own company, and to be honest with you it’d be a royal pain in the ass for me to have to deal with the workshop and all that stuff. I’m happy for you to take it over in his name.”

Rory swigged his wine.

“There’s something else I need to run by you.”

Rory lifted his eyebrows. It was already a lot to take in.

Kate laughed. “Why don’t we order lunch and another drink?”

“Sounds good.”

* * * *

That evening Sky lay in her bed with her sheets twisted between her arms and legs, thinking about Rory. Sleeping wasn’t easy, because the longing she felt for him, the man who made her feel whole, had long since become overwhelming.

“Rory, what the hell have you done to me?”

That day at work she tried to focus on her plans for her art—her one and only love, before she found Rory again—but it didn’t work either. Usually it helped her get through the day, planning what she’d work on next. And now, lying alone on her futon, it was driving her slowly insane. Being in love was a painful thing.

Her phone finally bleeped into life.

Sky leaped up and snatched the phone off the shelf.

It was his name she saw on the screen.

“Hey you,” she said, smiling as she answered his call. “No texts then a phone call, what have I done to deserve such a treat?”

“There’s been a lot to deal with, but it doesn’t mean I stopped thinking about you.” His voice. It made her melt. “I didn’t wake you did I?”

“Nope. I can’t sleep. Thinking about you.”

He gave a soft growl. “Good.”

“I’m going crazy without you.”

“I’m sorry. I just got used to being alone, and when that happened to George I felt I had to handle it alone.”

“But I’m the same, I’ve been alone for a while now and yet you helped me when I had to go to Wales with Nan, and after…” She took a deep breath, acknowledging what he’d done for her when she’d had flashbacks about the dark days with her mother. “You wouldn’t let me do the same for you and help you with some of the stuff you’ve had to deal with.”

“I will, soon. …the truth is if you’d been here with me, I would’ve just wanted to be with you. I felt guilty, still do, about the physical attack on George.”

“The woman from the tea bar opposite told me what happened and what you had to deal with.”

“Yeah…” He fell silent for a moment. “I’m heading up to see Sean tomorrow, got a visitor’s pass.”

“Is he okay? That’s twice you’ve been recently?”

“Just making plans for when he comes out. I want him to feel he’s got something to come out to, you know, it’s been tough on him. The way we see it, he took the fall for all three of us.”