He’d had the good sense to be cautious with Elena’s mother, cautious about exposing Lily to that side of the family in case the relationship fell apart, in case she lost them. But his own connection to Sophia had made him rash.
Yes, they’d tried to keep things platonic in front of Lily, tried to show their relationship was one of friendship and nothing more. But this one picture told them they’d failed. That, regardless of their best efforts, Lily wanted Sophia to be a part of their family...just as he did.
He took a steadying breath and slid the picture back under the stack. He just had to make sure he didn’t ruin it.
CHAPTER TWELVE
‘PUT YOUR COATS ON,’ Jack said, shrugging on his own as the engine to the plane was cut. ‘It’s going to be cold out there.’
Sophia helped Lily into hers before putting her own on, nerves fluttering up in her belly once more. This was it. Time to face her fears and move past them.
The door opened and the cold night air breached the warmth of the cabin, not that Lily was perturbed. She was already racing ahead, up to the elegant stewardess who now waited by the door for them to leave.
‘Thank you for my pizza!’
‘You’re welcome, Miss McGregor.’ The stewardess smiled indulgently down at Lily. ‘Enjoy your holiday.’
‘I will,’ she said, stepping out onto the steps.
‘Happy holiday, Mr McGregor, Miss Lambert.’
Sophia smiled her gratitude and stepped out behind Lily. The chilling wind, laced with snow, wrapped around her and she shivered, her hand reaching for Lily instinctively. ‘Careful.’
‘Isn’t it pretty, Sphea?’ the little girl said, her eyes wide with wonder as they travelled over the snow-banked airstrip. The darkness meant they couldn’t see much further than the airfield, but Lily could see what she cared about and that was the snow.
Sophia swallowed past the wedge forming in her throat, pushing back the memories that threatened, barely noticing that Jack had come up alongside her until she felt the comforting warmth of his hand slipping around her own. She looked up at him, part fear, part gratitude, and the rest was all love shining in her gaze.
And she wasn’t afraid to show it, not this time.
‘Thank you for this, Jack.’ She reached
up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. ‘It means so much.’
‘Thank you for coming.’
Their gazes locked, the air whipped around them, cold and frigid, but all she felt was the warmth of his gaze, heating her from the inside out and the hope flourishing with it. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d been happier or felt more invincible.
It was strange when it all hinged on his feelings for her and they were entirely out of her control. Was it crazy? Or was it just a symptom of being in love?
And if it was the latter she was ready to get used to it.
What if he doesn’t love you back? What if all this is a temporary affliction and in a week or two you have to go back to living as you did before?
She couldn’t imagine it. She didn’t want to.
‘You okay?’
His question and the frown tugging at his brow halted her spiralling thoughts and she smiled. ‘Never better.’
‘Come on, Daddy, Sphea—can you save all the kissy-wissy stuff until later? I want to get to our bubble!’
Their eyes widened at Lily’s astute observation and they each gave an awkward laugh.
‘Patience, monkey.’ Jack affectionately cuffed her chin, but Lily merely shook her head.
‘Nuh-uh, it’s my birthday trip!’
‘She has a point,’ Sophia said, feeling the guilt of it. Here she was, wrapped up in her own emotions, hers and Jack’s, when this trip was all about Lily and giving her the best birthday possible.