This is my chance to figure that out.And – as always – my timing is absolute shit.
Ourtiming is shit.
Love always,
Ren
Ren
The door banged three times on my second swirl of the beef ragu, ‘Watermelon Sugar’blasting from my speakers.Peggy cocked her head, listening intently.I thought it must be my mad neighbours in another argument of theirs until Peggy shot up, barking, at the fourth and fifth bang on the door.I huffed, laying down the wooden spoon, and strolled to the door in a leisurely fashion.Banging at my door wouldn’t make me rush.It wasn’t until I looked through the viewfinder at the blonde head at the door that I stood ramrod-straight, my breath coming short.
Lydia had her arms crossed, her face flushed, and sporting her familiar colourful workout gear.Today it was bright green.Something dropped in my stomach, but butterflies quickly took over, lifting whatever had dropped down my throat.Sure, I’d been around her, walking beside her, sleeping near her for days.But now she was at my door for the first time inyears. I fumbled with the lock on the door, about to ask her in, as she took advantage of the open door and pushed past me into my apartment.She already knew the layout, so she swung left into my kitchen.I pushed down the smile that threatened to appear.
‘Lydia.Come in.Make yourself at home,’ I said dryly, earning a sharp look that rippled all over my skin.
I missed the curl of her lips, her laugh and her friendship.But, God, did I miss that cutting look more than anything.The look said I was more than the sunshine facade she gave everyone else.It meant she gave me light and dark and everything else in between.
Lydia whirled around.Peggy circled her, her tail wagging, oblivious to the tension in the room.
Lydia’s eyes glazed over, travelling down my bare torso and back up again.Light pink dusted her cheeks.
She huffed and raised a palm.‘Can you put some clothes on?God!’
I wanted to chuckle.So this attraction of ours wasn’t one-sided.Even if she was less likely to admit it than me.
‘You stormed into my flat, Lyds.’
‘Don’t.’ She held up a finger, her eyes sharp.‘Don’t open your mouth.’
‘Really?Women usually like my—’
‘What were you thinking?’
‘You’ll have to be more specific.Before or after the almost-kiss at the top of Mam Tor?Or the part where you caught me fresh out of the shower?Are you sure you want to know what I was thinking?Or will it make you run again?’
I stepped forward.Her eyes widened, her gaze tracing the tattoos on my chest.Her breath was coming quickly, and I knew she felt this pull between us, even if she denied it.
‘Craig.’
Ah.That.I should have known someone in Everly Heath would spill the beans.
‘I was thinking,’ I said firmly, ‘that prick had it coming.That someone needed to do something.That you deserved someone who’d stand up for you.’
‘I didn’t ask you to do that.’ Her eyes flared, cheeks flushed with anger.‘I don’t need a white knight charging in to save me.’
‘Well, tough.You have one.And I don’t regret it.Just like I won’t regret it if you want to drive over and tell that arsehole yourself.’ I grabbed my car keys.‘I’ll go now if you want.You can say whatever you want to say, to his face.I won’t say a word.I’ll just sit back and watch you eviscerate him.’
‘Ren.’ She swiped a hand across her forehead.‘You can’t do this, Ren.This – this is all so fucking confusing.’
Her voice softened and it broke me.I could take her anger and bear it, but she looked soft and defeated.And I couldn’t stand it.It made me want to wrap her up in my clothes, run her a bath and keep her fed.
‘I’m sorry.I came on too strong.Come here, sit down.’ I nudged her gently towards the bar stools.‘My point is, I’m not going to let some smug, entitled arsehole – who has made your life hell for years, by the way – manipulate you out of a job you love.A job you’re brilliant at.Not without consequences.’
She sat stiffly, her eyes on the floor.I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, desperate for her to look at me.But her jaw was set, all quiet defiance.
‘What are you doing, Ren?’
I glanced around the kitchen.‘Well, until you stormed in, raring for a fight, I was making dinner.Still warm, if you want some?’
