Page 97 of Only Ever You

“Deacon? What are you doing?”

He flashes me that panty-dropping smile that caught me the first time. “Bringing you breakfast. I know how much you like ham and cheese croissants, and you’re cranky until you’ve had your first coffee of the morning.”

Scrubbing my face with my hands, I take a moment to process that sentence. It’s like nothing ever happened.

“I … why are you here? Did you stay here last night?”

He turns and points at the house next door. Compared to my parents’ place, the Larsen house is huge. It’s at least five bedrooms with a verandah running all the way around. I spent a large part of my childhood wishing that was our beach house.

“I’m staying right next door. And I’m here for the duration.”

My brows twitch. “Duration?”

“As long as it takes, Pip. I’m not going anywhere. I want to be right here to show you how sorry I am and try and find a way forward with you.” His jaw clenches. “I didn’t know Adeline sent you that picture.”

I blink rapidly. “Well, she did.”

“Nothing happened.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “I went out to a club for a drink, and she showed up. She sat beside me and took the photo before I realised what was really happening. I turned her down. She said some shit. I made it clear that I didn’t want her. I made it clear I only wanted you.”

My throat tightens.

“And then I told her if she used that selfie to hurt you, I’d destroy her career.”

I lick my suddenly dry lips. “You did?”

“And yesterday I made a phone call that messed up the deal she wanted. I’ll keep doing that forever to make her pay for what she did to you.”

My heart thuds. Why the sudden turnaround? He hated me enough to walk away on what was the biggest day of my life. Why am I even listening to him?

Because I want to know why.

“Why did you leave me?” I croak.

He hesitates, just for a moment. “Can I come in?”

I shake my head. “No. Just tell me.”

All my feelings of inadequacy come flooding to the surface. Was I just not enough for him? Is this where he tells me our relationship was a mistake? Why is he here?

Part of me wishes he’d left well enough alone because I’m not sure I’ll like the answer.

“Mum came to see me the night before the wedding.”

“What?” My head’s in a spin. Deacon made it clear to her that he didn’t want her there—I know he did.

“She made me believe—no, that’s not right. She got in my head and told me she was still seeing Lucas.”

I gasp. “That’s a lie.”

“I know that now.” He winces. “But there are things I didn’t tell you about Mum and Dad’s split and how much it fucked me up. She … she had photos of you and Lucas at lunch with her.”

For a moment, I study him. His expression crumples, and my chest tightens at the sight.

“She told me you knew all about her still being with Lucas. I felt betrayed.”

“You believed her?” Tears well in my eyes.

“Yes. I’m an idiot. I shouldn’t have, but I’m so messed up, Pippa. What I should have done was come and see you, talk to you, have you wrap your arms around me and reassure me that I was wrong. Instead, I fucked up everything.”

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