‘What is it?’
‘They’ve just closed the airport. All flights are cancelled.’
I looked outside the window at the gale-force winds. Somehow, the world was conspiring for us to be together.
Her hand reached for her grandmother’s pendant and the other hand, which was in mine, was limp.
‘I’m sorry we lost Grandma Iris’s necklace on that adventure, back at the waterfall. But I’m not sorry for what happened between us over there,’ I said quietly to her. ‘I’ll never be sorry for it. I care about you so much. I care more than I can ever tell you.’
She looked at me and nodded. Her eyes were a grey colour reflecting the sky outside.
‘Stay. Delacqua will pay for a hotel room. I want you to stay. You make the rules, okay. You decide everything. I’d like to hang out and talk some more.’ The hopeful note in my voice was painful.
She looked at me for a long time and then gave a very slow nod, squeezing my hand and I sagged a little. I was relieved I had twenty-four more hours with her, at least. I would spend every second with her she would allow and then, when she decided she’d had enough, I would respect that too.
Chapter Thirteen
Abbey
It felt good having the ‘I love you’ off my chest. The weeks of holding it in had become a burden, and now I’d said it, I felt dramatically lighter. There had been this second, this brief moment where I thought he was going to confess everything to me, but then that crease had formed between his dark brows, and he withdrew to the sad place.
But we were together for the next day at least. What if I used this time? Made him tell me the things he wouldn’t so far? Made the rules so that I could learn everything I could about him? If there weretwodays on offer, why wouldn’t I take two days?
‘I make the rules?’
‘Yes.’
‘Fine.’ I took a deep breath. ‘First, we will stay together. Second, there will be absolutely no sex. Third—’ I paused because after looking initially thrilled, he then looked crestfallen. ‘You will tell meeverythingaboutanythingI ask.’
He was silent for a second, and then he gave a half smile. ‘Can I touch you?’ I raised an eyebrow at him, and he clarified, ‘Can we hold hands? Can I kiss you? Can I hug you?’
‘Yes.’
‘You drive a hard bargain, Ms Parker.’
‘Is that a yes, Mr Northby?’
‘Yes.’
He messaged his driver to let him know we were ready and gave him the name of a swanky hotel that was as far away from Delacqua as we could get in the Melbourne CBD.
***
He opened my door and took my hand as we walked into the lobby of the hotel. I’m not entirely certain what about him screamed money other than the colour of his Amex, but the receptionist fawned over him and offered him the biggest suite available, which he took. I shook my head disapprovingly. He ignored me.
It was so easy to slip back into couple mode with him because it felt like the most natural thing in the world and our holiday had been spent exactly like this. But neither of us could quite bridge the void between us, no matter how close we held each other. One of us had declared ourselves and the other had not.
The room was,ah Jesus,it was exquisite. It was a soft mushroom colour, instantly soothing. There were two bedrooms, he pointed out, letting me know I had the option not to share his, and then he went and dumped his things in the smaller of the two. French chairs were dotted about the lounge, which had a gorgeous view of the river. There was a dining room and an office. The bathroom looked like a freaking day spa. The last – and only – time I had been in a room this fancy was the last time I stayed with him.
I changed, getting out of my dress, thankful for my disaster planning and that I at least had a change of clothes and toiletries with me. Emerging, I had a moment of doubt he’d be there, but there he was on the sofa. He had his feet crossed at the ankles and was drinking tea. Part of me had expected him to run and hide from the crazy lady who did not understand that sex was sex, and that when a man said he would not fall in love with you, he literally would not.
He extended a hand to me, and I walked to him, sliding into his lap. He looked as exhausted as me, and the crease between his eyes told me he was worrying.
‘Are you all right?’ he asked. I nodded. ‘Are you certain you want to stay? I will get you home if you’ve changed your mind. I can have Steve drive you.’
‘Nick, I love you. Two more days is two more days. If this is it, I want them.’
His grip around my waist pulled me to him tighter. I was reminded again just how freeing it was to have told him how I felt. Finally, I did not have to pretend.
