Thought you'd never ask

Part One

He raised his hand to knock on her door, before reality kicked in and he realised he didn't really have any reason to see if she was okay. It wasn't like they were even friends anymore. He sighed, he missed her. He noticed her door was open and stepped quietly inside as he saw her slumped on her sofa, paper work on her lap and a highlighter minus the lid resting in her hand. Her eyes were closed and he smiled, taking the highlighter from her hand and putting it on her desk.

She stirred as he took the paperwork from her and placed it next to her computer.

In the time it took him to wonder whether or not to wake her, her eyes flickered open and she looked up at him.

"Your highlighter very nearly leaked onto those trousers," he offered by way of explanation,

She sat forward and smiled at him, "thank you,"

He sighed, "can I sit?"

She nodded and leaned against him as he placed his arm over the back of the sofa.

This was the closest they'd been since she had ended things between them and his heart ached.

"How are you?" She asked warmly, her eyes closed,

"Oh you know, can't complain," he replied and she looked up at him. She couldn't help but run her fingertips gently across his forearm.

Her office door swung open and they both looked up, "you ready?" He asked and she nodded, taking her hand from Jacobs arm and standing up,

"See you tomorrow," she smiled, "close the door on your way out."

He nodded, a smile playing on his face.

"You two looked pretty cosy," he commented as they stood outside the school gates waiting for Grace. He'd been back six months and due to his and Graces persistence she had agreed to try their relationship again.

Connie raised her eyebrow, "I gave up the best man I'd met in a long time for you," she told him, "but rest assured, we're only friends."

They got out the car and smiled as Grace ran at them, throwing her arms first round Connie then round Sam.

"We thought we'd go for dinner darling," Sam smiled as Grace nodded eagerly.

"Can I have your car keys?" She asked, catching them as Grace threw them at her, "I need to grab my sunglasses,"

Before Sam could reply she had gone and he asked the waiter for another round of drinks.

She kissed Graces head as she sat down and listened contentedly as Grace chatted away about her day at school. Grace noticed how Connie stiffened slightly as Sam got up and squeezed her shoulder,

"You okay mum?" Grace asked,

"Just tired sweetheart," she replied,

"I saw Jacob out running a few days ago," she smiled, "he waved at me and gran,"

Connie laughed, "what was Audrey's response to that?

She told me not to wave at strangers Grace laughed as Connie couldn't help but smile.