Page 98 of Only Ever You

I drop my gaze. It’s all a lot to take in. Deacon didn’t trust me—instead he trusted a woman who did nothing but lie to him.

“There’s more I need to tell you, but …” He sighs. “It’s all a lot to deal with.”

He reaches out and runs his thumb down my cheek, swiping away a tear.

“I thought I wasn’t good enough.”

Deacon shakes his head. “Are you kidding? I’m the one who isn’t good enough for you. At the very first test, I ran. I’m here because I want to put things right because I destroyed the one good thing in my life, and I’m so in love with you.” He drops his hand and takes a step back. “Go and have breakfast. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

I’m left standing in the doorway—coffee in one hand, a warm paper bag in the other, wondering how on earth my life changed again in the space of twenty-four hours. It was only yesterday that I sat on the beach, my mind in turmoil over how I could start over.

Now my past is right in front of my face and I’m not sure how long he’ll persist, but I have no intention of leaving. This is my recovery place that he’s invaded.

Wrapping my head around everything he’s told me won’t be easy. His mother’s a monster. I knew that. Maybe there’s more to learn about what happened after he left town, but I’m not that surprised she messed with him.

After all, she had the balls to come after me that day.

There’s a paper napkin tucked inside the bag with the croissant, and I pull it out and place it on the coffee table when blue ink catches my eye.

Curious, I pick up the napkin and unfold it.

I love you.

Where was this man on my wedding day?

* * *

It’s late afternoon when my phone starts buzzing.

Unknown number.

Nine times out of ten, I ignore those, but there’s always the odd time I get curious and answer. And being out here without a lot of human contact, that’s happening more and more often. “Hello?”

“Pippa? It’s Adeline Walsh.”

My teeth grind so hard, my jaw aches. “What do you want?”

She takes in a sharp breath. “I deserve that.”

“I’m sure this isn’t a social call, so just get it over with.”

Is this the part where she rubs in that she was with Deacon? He says nothing happened, but I’m not sure if I can trust him after he didn’t trust me.

“I’m sorry I tagged you in that photo. I saw him and I took the picture before he even realised it was me. Nothing happened. He told me to get lost.”

I swallow hard. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because he told me he’d destroy my career if I hurt you. I just lost a potential job because of it.”

“So, you’re calling me because you lost a job—not because you’re sorry.”

“Wait …” She sighs. “I guess, but I really am sorry. I’ve worked for Infinity for ages, and I thought I knew Deacon, but I didn’t. He was so angry with me and he did warn me what would happen, but I thought …”

“You thought that if he left me, he wouldn’t care about what happened after.”

There’s silence for a moment.

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

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