‘One of the texts you ignored, you mean.’
‘No need to keep on.’ Vic wasn’t quite sure she could take much more today. It was only a few hours ago that she had been lip to lip with Jerico, and so much had happened since.
‘I wanted to talk to you face to face. I was a coward. Six years is a long time, Vic. We’ve shared a lot and I miss you.’
‘I miss you too,’ Vic replied quietly.
‘I think you’d love it where I am in the Lakes. I’m staying in this beautiful little cottage, surrounded by the most stunning countryside. All paid for by the mansion house owners. And my day consists of making a lunch and dinner for whoever is in the house, just five days a week. Plus, looking after the grounds, and you know how much I enjoy being outside.’ Nate was on a roll now. ‘There’s a decent town just fifteen minutes away – and all the food produce and the air just seems fresher somehow. I love it up there.’
‘It’s good to hear you sounding so happy.’ And Vic meant it.
‘But it’s not the same without you.’ Nate took her hand again. ‘Come back with me, Vic. I can set the spare room up as a studio. There are so many gorgeous places where you could paint. I will do anything to help you find your way. You won’t have to pay rent and I get my food, too. We will manage until you are on your feet.’
Tears sprang into Vic’s eyes. ‘And what about my hospital visits? I’m all set up in London now, and I want to stay that way whilst it’s all so new.’
‘You can travel down for those. You’ll want to see your family and friends, too, I guess, so you can combine it.’
‘You’ve thought of everything.’ Vic blew out loudly.
‘I have. There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. Sometimes I think I even see you in the street or hear your laugh, and my heart leaps a little bit. And as the old adage says, your absence really has made my heart grow fonder.’
‘Well, this is taking a turn,’ Vic said aloud. It had been shock enough Nate just turning up unannounced, let alone turning into Saint bloody Valentine. And his previous messages had given no clue that he was feeling this way – but that was Nate all over. A bag of free and reckless wonder.
‘I want to be with you, Vic. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my whole life.’ He led her off the path and onto the grass. ‘Let’s sit.’
They sat next to each other in silence. Legs stretched out, their thighs touching.
Nate’s closeness made her immediately think of Jerico. The sexy author sparked her mentally. He had a huge presence. He was a joy to be around. He had made her heart beat extremely fast when he had kissed her earlier. She thought he might be her ‘diamond love’. But Nate was her Nate. They had shared the reality of life, had lived together, slept together, left the bathroom door open in front of each other and he’d even held her hair back on the few occasions she’d been sick. It may have been messy a lot of the time, but whatever it was, it had been real.
A ‘diamond love’ was all anyone could aspire to. What Jake and Malini had did sound magical. But even so, it had still crumbled in the face of his addiction. Maybe that level of desire was just too intense ever to last?
Vic looked directly into Nathaniel Carlisle’s broodingbrown eyes. He was offering her his heart and soul. It would be so easy to walk back into his life now. Being able to make love to him and not have to worry about telling him what was wrong. She automatically picked up his hand and kissed it.
‘Please say yes, Vic. Sort out what you need to here and I’ll be waiting for you. I know it will take work, but we can do this.’
Tears of past hurt and regret began to fall slowly down Vic’s cheeks, and instead of a flat no, the words, ‘I’m not sure,’ flew right out of her mouth and into the sunshine.
‘I’ll take an unsure over a no, any day.’ Nate wiped Vic’s tears away with his thumb.
She managed a smile. ‘I’m just starting to get back on my feet again.’
‘I get that it’s a big decision. But I promise you, I will make it so worth it. No rush. I’ll be waiting.’
‘Don’t put your life on hold for me, Nate. I’m going to be working in Brighton for the summer.’
‘Oh, are you now?’
‘Yes. I can’t wait. Danny, well, Danny and I, we’re friends, and it’s nice to be around someone who totally understands what I’m going through. He’s also going to exhibit my work in his gallery, so it’s such a big chance for me.’
‘Danny, eh,’ Nate said softly under his breath, took a second to compose himself then reached for her hand. ‘Do what you need to. No pressure. OK?’
‘Thank you,’ Vic replied. ‘When are you heading back up north?’
‘Shortly. I’ve got to work this weekend.’
‘So you’ve done the Lake District and back in a day just to see me.’ Despite herself, Vic was impressed.
Nate nodded. ‘Yes, that’s how serious I am, Vic. I miss you so much.’ He checked his watch. ‘But shit, I mustn’t miss this train.’
