Page 79 of Promise Me Ever After
Russ brushed past me. “I hope you can accept my apology, Georgie. I truly am sorry.”
“Sorry for what?” Alex’s voice floated across the air as he stepped closer to the house. “What the fuck is he doing here?”
“I’m just leaving, buddy.” Russ held up his hands.
“Who the fuck are you calling buddy?”
I stepped between the pair, not wanting any repeat of the previous evening. “Leave it, Alex. Russ won’t be bothering me anymore.”
Alex made a move as if to punch Russ, but with me blocking his way, he wasn’t able to affect anything.
“Goodbye, Georgie.” Russ said his final words and walked down the path to the pavement.
I watched him get further and further away, my heart lightening with each step. Then I turned and looked at the thunderous expression on Alex’s face.
“What was he doing here?” He pushed past me into the house.
I slammed the door behind him. “The sale of the flat is almost complete, so I’ll get my share of the money.”
“And he couldn’t get a solicitor to tell you that? He had to come and tell you himself?”
“Yeah, so what?” I noticed Alex’s hand were clenched into fists by his sides. “It’s called closure.”
We stood facing each other in the centre of the living room. I was sick of all the drama. If Alex wanted us to be finished based on what he thought Russ was here for, he needed to get it over and done with.
“Why did you leave last night? Why didn’t you stay with me?” I asked at last.
He dropped down onto the sofa, rested his elbows on his knees, then his head in his hands. I joined him at a distance, until I’d heard what he had to say. “I didn’t want to do something I’d regret.” His voice was muffled. “Like put that prick in hospital and risk getting myself arrested. You don’t need that, Georgie.”
Realisation dawned that he’d taken off toprotectme, exactly like Mum had said. Not because he didn’t want to be with me.
I dropped to my knees in front of him and reached out, placing my hands on his cheeks and forcing him to look at me. “I always need you, Alex. I thought you agreed with Russ; that you thought I wasn’t worth the hassle.”
His sapphire blue eyes were glassy with unshed tears as his hands went to cover mine. “Christ, did he really make you think that?” Alex pulled out of my grasp and ran a hand through his hair. “What a prick,” he muttered. “I’m sorry I ran out on you. I…” He shook his head, dropping it back as he looked at the ceiling. “I love you, Georgie. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before and it’s fucking scary. Seeing how upset you were last night made me want to look after you.”
My breath hitched. Hearing him lay his feelings out on the line meant more to me than anything. All thoughts I’d harboured about taking things slowly, having fun had already gone out of the window when we’d said we loved each other. For the first time in a long time, I knew he meant each and every word. And I’d be a complete idiot to throw it all away because of what had happened in the past. I shifted my position and sat as close to him on the sofa as I could get.
“By look after me, does that include cooking?”
Our gazes locked. Hazel green on blue. The emotion and intensity in the stare cause goose bumps to break out over my skin. I loved how he had that effect on me.
“If that’s what you want, Georgie.”
“Then I want you. All the time. Every day.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Are you asking me to move in with you?”
I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “I think I am.”
“Don’t you think we’re rushing into things? What happened to having fun?”
I leaned over, my lips hovering inches from his. “Oh, don’t worry, Alex, we’ll definitely be having fun.”
Epilogue - Georgie
“I think we need to keep you away from the auction table.” Darcy laughed, lacing her arm through mine and dragging me away.
“Oh, you think you’re funny,” I protested, pulling free from her. “I promised Amber I’d bid on one of her treatments.”
