Page 121 of Time To Learn

“So amI.”

The crinkles at the corners of his eyes make my fingers itch to touch him, but we’re running out oftime.

“For the record,” he murmurs, “you light up my world as well, Laura.”

Before I fall completely into a hot mess and start to babble about my undying love for him, I swallow the lump in my throat and take a couple of deep breaths. Then I push lightly on his chest until he lets me go, and I walk back to the bed and sitdown.

“You’re wrong,” he murmurs then, a sadness in his eyes I didn’t expect tosee.

“What do youmean?”

“You’re not empty, Laura. Far fromit.”

His words make me lose my breath, and I feel lightheaded.

“I don’t know how to respond tothat.”

“You don’t have to. Just know that I see you, and empty is not who or what youare.”

I open my mouth, but I don’t get the chance to say anything before we’re interrupted by Ailith running into theroom.

“Let’s watch Aladdin now, please?” she pleads as she comes to an abrupt stop in front of Kristian.

His arms are crossed in front of him, one finger tapping his chin, and his brows knitted together, clear amusement shining in his eyes, he’s not fooling anyone, least of all my girl. When Ailith beams up at him, he lets go of the façade and grins.

“You’ve got it, girlie. Hop up on the bed, and I’ll find it foryou.”

I watch them settledown

The need to be alone for a while flares up inside me, urging me to get some privacy, and I stand abruptly from thebed.

“I need to phone Trish,” I explain at Ailith’s questioning look. “I’ll be backsoon.”

“Okay, Mummy.”

As I leave them to it, I pull out my phone and find Trish’s number. It doesn’t take her long to pickup.

“Hey, babe,” she greets me. “Fancy a cuppa?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t come by today.”

“Oh? What’s wrong?”

Quickly, I tell her about the whole ordeal with Ailith, not leaving out the fact that Kristian has been the best non-boyfriend ever all morning.

“Aww, poor baby,” Trish coos in my ear. “It’s okay, I understand.”

“Perhaps you can come by tonight instead?” I ask her as I sit down in the rocking chair in the kitchen. “We can have a proper chat once Ailith is down for the night. I just don’t want to leave her alone again.”

“Who’s cooking?” she laughs.

“Mum and me, of course,” I grin. “Whoelse?”

She chuckles in myear.

“Will Kristian be there, too?” she asksme.

The slyness in her voice almost makes me snort.