Page 77 of The Vow We Made
“What do you mean, apart from the obvious? Are you talking about us? This ‘thing’ we have? Nothing is obvious to me right now.”
I’ve got to coax her out of this funk and there’s no better opportunity to tell her how I see us in case she’s in any doubt.
“You don’t think so? Then let me tell you what I think.” I take a minute to cup her jaw and brush my thumb over her velvet skin. Her honey eyes are missing their familiar glow as they glance towards mine and I know whatever I say now will determine where we go from here.
“Vick, you’ve changed me in ways I could only imagine. Before you, I was that guy; the one who reached a certain point in a relationship then switched from hot to cold. My career has only ever been my priority, the one true constant I could rely on. And don’t get me wrong, I wanted to find the right girl; I wanted more, but there was never that spark or hit everyone talked about.” Her cheek nestles against my palm as she blinks and I tell her, “Until you.”
“Aiden please, you don’t have to say these things just to make me feel better about myself.”
“But it’s true. I’d never felt before, yet my married friends always told me, I’d know when the right girl came along. How a look or touch ignites every nerve in your body. I’ve always been the bloke in the background calling bullshit, but now I’m on the other side of the fence, I understand. You crashed into my life, apologising profusely and wouldn’t stop to let me help, yet I felt it there and then. Don’t get me wrong, I chose to ignore it at the time, but the whole thing grew from there and I’ve never looked back.”
The corners of her mouth rise and tears spill from her bottom lid as I tell her, “Youare the light in my world.Only you.”
Then I see it; the light in her eyes is back. I continue to rub my thumb against her cheek while brushing her tears to the side. She is laughing with happiness or relief. Whatever it is, I think I’m getting through to her.
“I could go on about how incredible you are in a thousand different ways, plus you’re hot as fuck.” Her face brightens, flushes with colour then breaks into a tearful giggle before I get serious. I have to make her see she’s becoming my world. “And if you’re trying to tell me I’m misreading any signals between us, I’m the guy who calls bullshit all over again. This ‘thing’ we have, albeit in its infancy, is so important to me and I’m at a point where I can’t be without it. It’s real and it’s ours, so whichever way you slice it Vick, we belong together and I’d say it’s bloody obvious I’m falling for you. I just hope, with every beat of my heart, you’re falling for me too.”
Her glazed eyes are as big as saucers and I note her bottom lip tremble. “I am Aiden and that’s my problem. I was scared of falling hard for you in case you were with me out of pity. I’m not the same girl you first met outside Bill’s place and I’ve got these scars to prove it,” she says while her hand covers her face once again.
I take her hands away and look deep into her eyes. “You’re still the same person inside and you’re as beautiful today as you were the first day I met you. You have to stop doubting yourself and what we have here.” I get a brief tearful smile before I add, “I’m not going anywhere, not unless you’re coming with me.”
“What did I do to deserve you.” Her voice crackles while I bring her close. “I’m sorry I’ve been a miserable cow,” she adds as her head comes to rest against my shoulder and the moisture of her tears, roll over my bare skin.
“Don’t be sorry. You’re not sure of anything right now, but let me tell you something.” I pull back to make firm eye contact and run my hands through her hair, pushing it away from her face. “Never doubt how strong my feelings are when it comes to you. I fucked this up once and I learnt a valuable lesson. I won’t do it again. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Okay,” she whispers.
“And can I add, I don’t ever say soppy shit for the sake of it, Victoria. I mean every word.”
She laughs a little and I pull her towards me again. Gently pressing my mouth to her tender lips, I sense she’s not ready for this conversation to be over. There’s more to her insecurity, especially when the tears refuse to subside.
I pull back. “What else can I do to prove how much I care about you? Tell me and I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Nothing Aiden.”
“Then what’s brought all this on?”
She sobs. “I have so much I want to say.”
“Is it something I’ve done or—”
“No. Never.” Clearing her throat of the gravel to her voice she adds, “It’s me. Maybe now is the right time to explain a few things. It might help you understand why I’m so bloody scared.”
I blow out a breath, admitting it’s time to tell some truths myself. “Perhaps we both have things to say.”
The vibration of her mobile on the bedside table, draws a halt to any explanations and confessions, as Steph’s name flashes on the screen. We both stare towards its buzzing tone. “You’ll have to get it. She’s good at guessing when something’s wrong and can always hear in my voice when I’ve been crying,” she tells me and sniffs.
“We could ignore it.”
“Not a good idea. She’ll send Bronte round knowing her.”
I pick it up, raising my brows while staring at Victoria. “Hi Steph.”
“Aiden? Where’s Victoria?”
“I’m fine thanks Steph, how are you?”
“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you. Where is she?”
