Chapter 40

Compelled by the urge to fight for their relationship, Stella took a fortifying breath; she wasn't prepared to let it slip through her fingers. ‘I totally understand why you feel that way, and much as I don't like the version of me you've just described, I get why you wouldn't want to take things further. But I can honestly say, that was totally out of character. Yes, I can be sassy, straight-talking and maybe even a bit blunt at times – well, maybe a lot blunt – but I'm not the person you've just described. I value the people in my life, and respect their feelings one-hundred per cent. All I can say in my defence is that I'd had a rotten week dealing with a slippery defendant and an even more slippery opponent. Plus, for some unfathomable reason, I'd got suddenly preoccupied with finding my father.' Stella didn't like to add how concern about her mum's recent health scare had been preying on her mind. She dipped her chin, looking him in the eye. ‘If you have any doubts about my personality, just ask my friends; they wouldn't give me the time of day if I behaved like that as the norm. I'd have had my backside kicked right out of that friendship group, and deservedly so.'

‘Yeah, I get the feeling you're right there,' he said with a chuckle.

‘So does this mean we get a second chance?' She was struggling to rein in the hope that was rising like a tidal wave in her chest, her heart hammering.

Before she knew what was happening, Alex reached across, put his hand at the back of her neck and pulled her to him. In the next moment, his lips were on hers, warm and tender. Stella released a groan, her whole body suddenly on fire.

‘Oops! Sorry.'

They finally pulled apart to see Zara dressed in a fleecy onesie, a towel wrapped around her head, the floral scent of her bubble bath infusing the air.

‘Hey, no worries.' Stella felt the warmth of a blush creep over her face.

‘Anyone ever tell you your timing's pants, sis?'

‘Heaps of times.' Zara grinned at him. ‘And for what it's worth, I'm chuffed to bits you two are back on track, you look kinda cute together.'

‘That's just as well,' Alex said.

‘Oh really?' Stella gave him a flirtatious smile.

‘Don't suppose you fancy staying for dinner?' His eyes twinkled at her.

‘I'd love to.' She beamed at him, her heart soaring with happiness.

‘Steak, chunky chips and salad do you?'

‘Mmm. Perfect.'

‘You won't be disappointed, Alex is an amazing cook,' said Zara. ‘His peppercorn sauce is awesome.' She padded over to them, her battered novel in her hand.

‘Ooh, I can't wait to try it.' A thrill zinged its way through Stella's body, it felt good to be back on track with Alex. Though the spectre of her father's ill-fated visit lurked at the back of her mind, she was determined he wasn't going to spoil her evening with him – and Zara; she'd address that tomorrow. But for now, Johan de Groote had taken up more than enough of her thoughts for one day.

She glanced across at Alex, the smile he flashed melting her heart and sending butterflies dancing wildly in her stomach. She was determined not to allow any doubts to sneak in and spoil her enjoyment of this delicious feeling.

Her mum and Rhys popped into her mind. It hadn't gone unnoticed by Stella how attentive and considerate Rhys had been with her mum earlier that day. How his quiet reassurance had soothed and comforted her. Indisputable love had shone in her mum's eyes when she'd looked at him – it had been returned in equal measure by Rhys – and it had been heartwarming to see. They were a good fit, complemented one another – she hoped Rhys's children could see it too. Her mum had finally found love and was happy and content in a way Stella had never seen her before; she, more than anyone, deserved it. And if that was what being in love did for you, then Stella was happy to welcome it in with both hands.

‘I wish you could've seen it,' Stella said, giggle-snorting. ‘It was hilarious. Your brother's face was a picture.'

‘Stop! I'm in serious danger of wetting myself if you make me laugh any harder.' Zara was bent double, she'd been howling with laughter as Stella had described how she'd flung her knickers at Alex and they'd landed on his head. Stella knew how to tell a good story, her comic timing honed to perfection.

‘I'm glad you find it entertaining, sis.' Alex shook his head, the corners of his mouth twitching with a smile. ‘It's poor Fred I feel sorry for, he sat there for ages with a pair of silky knickers hooked over his lugs, wondering what the heck was going on.' Alex couldn't help but chuckle at that.

‘I'm just relieved you two have sorted yourselves out.' Zara was sitting on the sofa next to Stella, Alex in the seat opposite. ‘Honest, Stells, he was as miserable as a wet weekend when he landed at our parents' place. Nothing would cheer him up.' She tucked her feet underneath her, eyeing her brother intently.

‘I don't think I was that bad.'

‘Oh, trust me, you were.'

The day after Stella had confronted Alex about her missing underwear, he'd hot-footed it to their parents' house, keen to lie low and lick his wounds. Whilst he was there, he'd poured his heart out to his sister, telling her how he felt about Stella and how devastated he'd been by her accusation and the fact that she'd refused to listen. He'd struggled to comprehend how she could see the funny side of it, put out that she'd sat and giggled.

‘Honestly, Al, you'll be telling everyone about it at your silver wedding celebrations, making everyone laugh their socks off.'

‘What? Even if I'm married to someone else?' he'd said, his face straight.

Zara had pulled a face at him. ‘You'll see.'

Zara leant into Stella. ‘Did I ever tell you about the time Al was, very briefly, in a boy band?'

‘Ooh, no, do tell.' Grinning, Stella rubbed her hands together.

Alex clamped his hand to his forehead and released a loud groan. ‘Zar, please!'

Stella and Zara looked at one another and fell into a fit of the giggles. ‘You've got to tell me now,' said Stella.

‘I so do. They'd called themselves "Studs" and Al here was on lead guitar – even though he couldn't play a note and is completely tone deaf.' Zara could barely get her words out for laughing.

‘Studs?' Stella threw her head back, snorting with laughter. ‘I love it!'

‘This is so unfair, you two are ganging up on me.' Alex shook his head, unable to stop himself from laughing. ‘We were fifteen at the time,' he said by way of explanation.

‘Hah! That's no excuse! Got any photos, Zar?' asked Stella.

‘I've got some at my place, I'll bring them up, show you them next time I'm here. I think you'll be very impressed by Al's floppy boy-band fringe and curling top lip.'

‘Get knotted, Zar,' Alex said good-naturedly, making the two women laugh even harder.

The three of them chatted and laughed for the next few hours. Reluctantly, Stella realised it was probably time to head back to her apartment; she still had some prep she needed to attend to for tomorrow's trial and didn't want to be burning the midnight oil. Plus, after the earlier events of the day, tiredness had suddenly crept up on her.

‘If you're still here on Friday, you're very welcome to join me and my pals down at the Jolly,' she said to Zara as she unfurled her long legs from beneath her on the sofa.

‘Thanks.' Zara beamed at her. ‘I might just do that, if Al can put up with me for that long.'

‘After tonight, I'd say that's looking doubtful,' he said, his expression deadpan, making Stella and Zara giggle.

‘We can walk down to the pub together,' Stella said. ‘It's always a good night, we put the world to rights over fish and chips and a couple of bottles of wine.'

‘In that case, you can definitely count me in,' said Zara, ‘as long as your friends won't mind.'

‘Oh, they won't mind; you'll fit right in.' Stella gave a warm smile. ‘Right then, it's been fab getting to know you, but I'd really better go. I'll see you later.'

‘Yeah, it's been fab getting to know you too.' Zara beamed.

‘I'm wondering whether I should be worried about you two getting on so well, I've got a feeling I'm going to be outnumbered,' Alex said, clearly not worried about it at all, instead he seemed happy his sister and Stella had clicked.

‘I reckon you should. What do you think, Stells?'

‘I think he definitely should.' Stella adopted a faux serious expression before giving a playful lift of her eyebrows.

Alex walked her to the door, sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her close. ‘I've enjoyed this afternoon with you, been good to have got things sorted out between us.'

‘It has, I've enjoyed it too.' Smiling, Stella looped her arms around his neck, savouring the solid feel of him pressed against her.

He pulled her closer, his lips finding hers, the gentle graze of his stubble brushing over her skin. She closed her eyes and with a sigh, melted into him.