‘Careful you don’t get light-headed,’ Aiden warned, peeling off his gloves.
George wrapped an arm around my shoulder, tucking me tightly to his side.
Knowing that I had to look eventually, I let my gaze slowly travel down my leg to the red patch at my ankle. My sharp intake of breath echoed around the room.
Tears welled in my eyes. I pressed my palm to my mouth, feeling emotion gather in my throat, making it hard to swallow.
‘It’s perfect,' I said, voice strained.
‘Told you.’ Fallon grinned.
The tattoo was the size of a fifty pence coin. A stethoscope twined to make a heart, with two pricked dog ears in the middle.
George kissed the top of my head. Not for the first time, I wondered how the hell I’d got lucky enough to be given a second soulmate. Someone who didn’t love mein spiteof all my jagged pieces, but loved mebecauseof them. Because they made me who I am.
That’s the kind of love they write about in books.
I just never dreamed it would ever be my reality.
Not untilhim.
EPILOGUE
Four Months Later
‘I thinkit needs to go down on the left.’
The man wearing a glorified onesie and a hard hat grunted. ‘Ireallydon’t think it does.’
I took a few more steps back, my heels crunching on the gravel, and surveyed it once more. ‘It definitely needs to go down on the left.’
Steve sidled up to me, holding a cup of tea between his weathered hands. He leaned closer and dropped his voice to a whisper. ‘Rosie, darling, you are aware your head’s tilted?’
‘No, it’s not,' I argued, lifting my head from itsdefinitelytilted position. Narrowing my eyes on the sign and the two men who were currently no doubt praying for my impending doom, I cleared my throat. ‘Okay, carry on,' I called, waving my hand for them to continue.
‘Jesus Christ.’One of the workmen blew out an exasperated breath and started to hang the brand new sign above George’s recently refurbished store. This was the last puzzle piece to fit into place before they had a grand reopening.Something George had been planning for weeks. He’d managed to get the local newspaper to come down and hopefully write some positive things aboutCora’s. Thanks to Oliver’s help, the place had finally been getting some of the TLC it deserved. He completely renovated the inside. Fixing up all the patched jobs he’d done himself over the years. And there weremany.I loved that man, but he had questionable DIY abilities. Based on the way the plasterer had eyed his attempt to spackle, I could see I wasn’t the only one holding that opinion.
But now, after nearly a month of work and several late nights,Cora’swas finally ready to open for business. There was only one thing left.
‘Goodness me, that looks better than what was there before,’ Steve whistled.
I grinned. ‘Better be, it cost a small fortune.’
Steve chuckled. ‘The boss’ll be pleased.’
I knew he would. Rather, Ihopedhe would. I’d taken a risk in keeping this a secret from him. And whilst I knew he’d love the result, I didn’t relish the times I had to go behind his back in order to execute this surprise. George had wanted the sign to be the last thing he got, and he kept wavering on the type he wanted. It needed to be perfect. For him. For his mum. Every time he settled on a design, he’d wake up the next morning and change his mind, finding something about it he didn’t like. Quite often, his excuses were ridiculous. How could a sign be toosigny?
Ugh, that had been a long night. And it ended like most of our arguments tended to these days. Him dropping to his knees because he didn’t want to talk any longer and burying his face in my pussy. It’s an effective way to end a heated conversation, I’ll admit.
I hated how much this decision was tearing him up inside. He wanted perfection, but he was paralysed withindecision. So, I decided to take the decision out of his hands.
Two weeks ago, I had a custom sign made, a collection of all the parts of discarded designs George actually liked. Against my better judgement, I’d told Oliver about my plan, wanting to double check that the design I’d chosen would be something he loved.
Surprisingly, Oliver had said it was incredible. The design and the fact that I wanted to surprise George with it. Being retired was making Oliver soft, and it was incredibly unsettling. I’d have to talk to Fallon about getting him a hobby. Arrogant, obnoxious Oliver was the only one I could deal with. Kind and supportive Oliver was like watching little kids wearing makeup.Unsettling.
As if my thoughts had summoned him, my phone started ringing.
‘How’s it going over there?’
