One day, but not yet.
For now, he asks that she comes home.
Please, Angel. Come home.
“Home?” I ask, darting my eyes up and searching for Lucy’s blue ones.
Lucy nods from her spot on the sofa. Her face is more serious now. “The penthouse.”
I bite my bottom lip, looking back to the picture. Is he saying he wants to be at Lowerwick one day? Would he really leave the city and go back there?
“I want to go home,” I say, staring at the note.
“Course you do.”
“Am I rushing into this?”
She shakes her head no. “I think this is exactly what you, Ellis, and Mason need.”
“I’m scared. What if it goes wrong again?”
“Then we round up the girls and go dancing.” She winks, making me smile. “It is going to go wrong at times, Nina. You’d be naive to believe it won’t.” She stands, sighing as she walks to the desk in thought. “But I know for a fact that youand Mason can overcome anything that’s thrown at you. Just look at what this past year has brought to your door. You fought back, said a big fuck you, and got through it. Trust that you’ll always get through it.”
“You promise you’ll always be available for dancing—no matter the time of day?”
She grins wide. “You know it.”
“Okay. Let’s go home.”
TWENTY-NINE
Nina
The sound of the elevator whirling as it carries me to the penthouse is the only sound audible over the beating drum that seems to pound against my chest. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s the penthouse. And Mase. And home. There was always something about the penthouse that I loved; it was almost instant. And then I fell in love with him here. Amongst stolen moments and stupid fights, it all led me deeper intous. Not a relationship or another person but a promise.
I flinch, despite anticipating the ping that sounds. I calm my breathing and look up into a sea of candlelight. The living area is littered with candles, just like that night all those months ago. It was one of our first nights together, and we were supposed to be going out on our first date. I shake my head at the memory, a smile forcing its way to my face. I freaked out over his money, sulked in the bath, we had sexand then woke hours later to find the downstairs in puddles of candle wax. God, if I could go back… would I change things?
Tentatively, I step out of the elevator, making my way through the foyer, and deeper into the lounge. I stop and take in the view, never tiring of the visual sensation that is the City of London. It’s a rush of cars, people and flashing lights, yet so peaceful from up here.
“You’re late.” His voice is deep and instantly pulls me from my trance.
I spin in place, finding him watching me from the middle of the dining area. “I was sent on a wild-goose chase.”
“You didn’t like it?” he questions.
I start towards him. “I loved it.”
“Yes!” I hear someone hiss from the kitchen. I frown at Mason, and he shakes his head.
“The studio?—”
“It’s perfect. It’s all perfect, Mase.” I slide my arms around his neck, smoothing my hands over his navy fitted shirt that hugs his strong shoulders perfectly.
His nostrils flare as he fights to control his emotions, and I smile, my tears seem to have dried up thankfully. He takes a step away from me, holding my hands in his.
“I know I said we would take things slow, and this is probably all happening quicker than you want it to, but I can’t think of one good reason why we would spend another second apart. I love you, Nina. Even the ugly parts that should make us impossible, I love. If I had things my way, I’d call in a vicar and marry you right here, right now.” I draw in a sharp breath, my heart thudding in my chest as my stomachbottoms out. “But I also know that you would run a million miles from me if I did that.” He smiles, and I see the nerves that flutter deep within his eyes. “Whatyoushould know, is that I will spend the rest of my life climbing over every hurdle we create—and Angel, we’ll create them.” I laugh, stealing a hand away to wipe a stray tear from my face. “You could run to earth’s end and I would still find you. In this life, and the next, you will always be my one. My Pixie. So, I ask that youconsiderbeing my wife. You don’t have to answer me now, you can take all the time in the world to decide–I don’t even have a ring.” He smiles, patting his pockets.So perfect.“But come live with me, with our son, as a family, and then when you are ready, know that I will be too. I’d be your husband today, tomorrow, and forever.”
What in the world did I do to deserve this man? I’m in awe of him—of his love.
