Page 105 of Only Ever You

“I can’t believe it.”

I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “Believe it, Pip. I’m here for you, and I’m sorry it hasn’t always been that way. I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for it if you’ll let me.”

Pippa leans back and scrubs her face with her hand. “This is all so much. I need to think. Can I give dinner a miss and sleep on it?”

Disappointment floods my veins, but she’s right. She’s just had all this information dumped on her, and I’m still reluctant to push her too hard. “Of course. How about we have that dinner tomorrow. And you can ask me anything.”

She smiles, and for the first time since I’ve been here, the smile reaches her eyes. This afternoon was a big move in the right direction—not as far as I would like, but we made progress and that’s what matters.

“I’ll walk you home.” I stand and offer her my hand.

“I’m right next door.”

I nod. “I know, but it’s my job to make sure you get home safe.”

She hesitates for a moment before taking my offered hand and standing. For a beat, I gaze into her eyes, soaking in the sight of her.

I’m such an idiot.

“I love you, Pippa.”

Her gaze drops, as does my stomach.

“Let’s go.” I continue, ignoring that she’s said nothing.

As we make our way across the sand, still hand in hand, my heart thuds. I want this walk to last forever.

The thought of saying goodbye to her hangs heavy over me.

We reach the door of her house all too soon, and she turns, finally speaking. “It’s not that I don’t love you …”

I nod. “I know. I’m here whenever you’re ready.”

Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, I press a long kiss to her forehead. “I just want you to know, Pip, from the day you walked into my office, it was you. It’ll only ever be you.”

As I pull away, she meets my gaze—tears in her eyes—and nods.

My heart swells with all the love I have for her. I’d like nothing more than to throw her over my shoulder and carry her into the bedroom.

But I need to wait and be patient.

And hope to hell she forgives me.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Pippa

Can I trust Deacon not to hurt me again?

He seems sincere, but then I fell for him the first time and where did that get me?

But he’s also determined, and he’s not just going to go away.

Thoughts keep circulating through my mind about Lucas too. When it all blew up, Lucas stuck to his story about being in love with Elise, but it always seemed weird.

My parents came down hard on him, even though he was nineteen and they couldn’t stop him from seeing her. But after that, it just stopped.

Was she worried about being caught?

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