Six Naughty Nights: Love in Reverse, Book 2 by Serenity Woods Page A

that Faith kept in a cupboard for visiting kids.
    Esther sipped her drink, finally beginning to relax. She hadn’t realised until then how tense she’d been.
    “You’ll have to tell us all about the earthquake,” Faith said to Toby. “We were so frightened for you when we heard about it, especially when we couldn’t contact you. Was it scary?”
    “Terrifying,” Toby said. “I screamed like a girl.”
    Esther smiled as they laughed, but said, “He did not. He saved my life. And Charlie’s.”
    “Wow,” Faith said. “A real superhero.”
    “Like Dan Carter,” Charlie announced, making them all laugh.
    “I can tell he’s your son,” Rusty said to Toby wryly.
    Toby ruffled the boy’s hair. “His rugby education is sadly lacking, but I’m attempting to rectify that.”
    Faith met Esther’s gaze and smiled. Esther studied her coffee cup. Faith’s eyes seemed to see right through her, to her most vulnerable spots. She supposed that the other girl had some inkling of how she felt. Faith had been fairly open in her articles with the way her relationship with Rusty had progressed, and she’d obviously been through the mill before the two of them finally settled down.
    They talked for a while about the earthquake, and Toby explained how he and Esther had miraculously met up again. To Esther’s relief neither Faith nor Rusty enquired why she hadn’t told Toby he had a son for two and a half years.
    Eventually, though, Faith said, “Where are you staying, Esther?”
    Esther recognised the unspoken question beneath Faith’s query—were she and Toby back together? She couldn’t look at Toby. They hadn’t actually finalised details, although she knew he would let her stay at his house. But she wasn’t sure that would be a wise idea.  
    The night after she’d had the beer and he’d kissed her, he’d told her he was sleeping on the sofa, and she hadn’t contradicted him. Since then, he’d made no further move on her. He could probably sense her confusion, she thought. She was still attracted to him, but the last thing they should do was get involved again. She had to keep their relationship purely platonic and concentrate on what was best for Charlie.
    She cleared her throat. “I’m not sure. I hadn’t actually decided…”
    Faith smiled. “Then why don’t you stay with us? We have a spare room, and I can borrow any bits and pieces you need from Toby’s sister-in-law—her boy’s four now, but she’s kept most of his clothes and toys and stuff, and I know she’ll be happy to loan them out.”
    Esther bit her lip and finally glanced at Toby, wondering if he’d be annoyed that she wouldn’t be staying with him, but he just smiled. She sighed with relief. It would give her the space to work things out and would remove the temptation of being in his company at night time. “Well, if you’re sure…” She wondered if Rusty would be alarmed, but he was just watching his wife with a smile. “Charlie can be a bit loud,” she told them.
    “It’ll do him good.” Faith’s eyes twinkled. “Give him some practice.” She exchanged an amused glance with her husband.
    “I thought so,” Toby said. “Congratulations, you two—when’s it due?”

Chapter Eleven
    They both stared at him, shocked. “What do you mean, ‘I thought so’?” Faith demanded.
    “I’m a father now. I know these things. I’m very sensitive, you know.”
    Faith blew a raspberry. “Give over. You probably saw my pregnancy magazine on the table.” But she laughed as he gave her a hug.
    Esther smiled, but she couldn’t help but study Toby as he shook Rusty’s hand. He was sensitive, surprisingly so, but clearly his friends had no idea. How strange that she should recognise it and they didn’t have a clue.  
    “Congratulations,” she told them. “When’s it due?”
    “August,” Faith said. “I’m only just three months. Hopefully you’ll be able to give me some tips!”
    Esther pulled a face. “Jeez, I