Page 93 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
‘You have a great figure and still eat.’
‘Flattering as that might be, it’s also complete bollocks. They’re models and actresses and spend half their day working on their bodies. It’s a completely different thing.’
‘I also love the fact that you’re not afraid to tell me when you think I’m talkingbollocks. Even when I’m not.’ He grinned and I couldn’t help but smile.
‘Marco, what were you thinking?’ I asked, my voice soft. He tilted his head and gave me a sad look. ‘I was thinking … hoping that you might feel the same way about me as I still do about you.’
I dropped my gaze and shook my head, lifting both to meet Marco’s. ‘I hurt you before and I couldn’t bear to do it again.’
‘Thingswould be different this time. I know you didn’t enjoy all the same aspects of life but, if you want to know a secret, I’m a little tired of that side of it all too. Perhaps I am finally growing up.’ He gave a wink. Not everyone could pull off a wink. Marco, of course, did it with charm.
‘Marco, I just don’t fit into your world. I never felt like I fitted there.’
‘That’s exactly why you’re soright for me.’
‘But I’m not. We both know that. We’re great together in the good times but not so good in the bad times. It needs to be strong in the good times and the bad.’
I saw his back stiffen as the realisation settled. ‘There is someone else.’
I nodded. ‘Yes. I mean, no …’
Marco frowned at me. ‘You seem confused.’
I sighed.
‘If he doesn’t return your affection then he is an idiot.Believe me, it takes one to know one.’
‘It’s not that. I just can’t risk hurting someone else like I hurt you. And you were never an idiot, Marco.’ I squeezed his arm.
He waggled his head, maybe yes, maybe no. ‘I never should have rushed you. Maybe if I hadn’t …’
‘There’s someone out there much better for you than me – you know that. Someone who likes all the glitz and knows what to do withall those forks at the posh dinners. Someone who fits into your world so much better than me.’
‘You fit fine.’
‘Not really, Marco. We’ve proved that we’re better as friends. And the problems that put our relationship under pressure? They haven’t gone away and I can’t risk losing your friendship, or hurting you like I did before ever again.’
‘I think I’ve learned a lot about myself since youleft. I think you taught me a lot about myself. I’m stronger than I was, and I think we could make it work this time.’
‘Marco, please don’t think I don’t care.’
He regarded me for a moment. ‘I have a feeling that whatever I say, you’re not going to change your mind, but will you at least think about it? I promise, it’ll be different this time.’
‘Oh, Marco …’ I sighed sadly, the words soundingthick as I struggled with the emotions tumbling through me.
He gently cupped my face, wiping a rogue tear away with his leather-gloved thumb. ‘Don’t cry,’ he said, pulling me close, ‘I never meant to upset you.’
‘I always promised I’d never hurt you or anyone like this again, and I’ve still managed to do it.’
‘No, no,’ he said, gathering me into him, and rocking me in a gentle motion as ifsoothing a child. ‘I just had to ask. And you’ve said you’ll think about it. That’s all that can be done. I would never want you to do something that will make you unhappy. I’ve seen you unhappy and it broke my heart. I’ve learned from that, I promise. And I’ve already seen that going home, working in your family’s business, all that has the possibility of making you happier than I’ve ever seen you.’
‘You’ve seen?’ I asked, pulling back to look up at him.
‘I had been thinking about you. And then I saw the Facebook photos.’
‘What photos?’
‘The ones of the Christmas event on your family’s business page. You were dressed up like a little elf. So cute.’ He laughed and cuddled me again. ‘In one, you were talking to a man. Tall, very good-looking.’
