Page 155 of The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love

‘This is because I bullied you into it,’ she asserts.

‘Bullied me?’ I can’t help the burst of laughter. ‘Come on, Ashleigh. As if.’

‘Persuaded you then. Wore you down. It’s what I do, isn’t it?’ Her voice lowers to a shame-filled conspiratorial admission, ‘I have form, remember? I?—’

‘Every time you talked about the job, I got excited about it,’ I insist, cutting her off. ‘Every time. It’s like you knew if I just stopped running away from my experiences when I was younger and instead added it to my skillset, I could help people in a way that really matters.’ I close the gap she created between us. Reach for her hands. ‘You had faith in me even when I didn’t. You push for people to be the best versions of themselves but you push yourself even harder. Do you have any idea how inspiring that is? When I said it wasn’t just the kintsugi, I meant it. You inspired me – do inspire me. You said you trust me, right?’ I search her face. Watch as she licks her lips nervously. The second I see her nod, I add, ‘So, trust that how I react to that inspiration is my choice.’

There’s still concern etched over her fine features and if ever there was a time to use my words it’s now because no way do I want to be the guy who loses out because he didn’t communicate.

And I definitely don’t want to be the fool who loses Ashleigh. ‘Look, forget about the job for a moment.’

‘What? No. You have an interview. I don’t want to be responsible for you missing out if it’s truly what you want.’

‘I have time and this is more important. I don’t want you thinking this new energy I have is solely about a job. Not when it’s actually for you – us. I know that sounds a lot and fast but we came in at a level or two above casual, I think. I need you to know I can’t wait to take you out on dates, Ashleigh. Fun dates. Sexy dates. More sightseeing dates. So many dates. All of them creating our “us.” We can go at whatever pace you want but I want us working on being an us. You came all this way to meet me off the plane.’ I lower my forehead to rest against hers. ‘I love that you did that for me. This is more than casual for you too, right?’ God, I’m out of breath. Can feel my heart hammering inside of me. ‘Ashleigh?’

‘Play the message,’ she says.

‘What?’ Her words have me frowning until she reaches back and grabs my phone out of Oz’s hands. Ignoring the look of horror on their faces, she places the phone in my hand and repeats, ‘Go ahead. Play it.’

The first thing I hear as I play the message on loudspeaker is the wealth of emotion when she says my name. My hand tightens around the phone and I look to check she wants me to continue. She stares back unflinching and in a way that has me thinking, that right there is my brave Ashleigh.

‘I’m at the airport, George,’ the message continues ‘and you’re not here and I have to tell you I’m so bloody bollocksing-mad.’

I wince. ‘Not how we use that w—’ I see her expression and stop. ‘Sooo not relevant.’

‘…But as bollocksing-mad as I am, it’s not even close to how bollocksed-up unravelling I am at the thought something’s happened to you. I don’t know what that something is or why you can’t get to me but I – I wanted to tell you some things. Big things. Things I’ve come to know over the course of knowing you. Like how great a human you are! How creative and talented. And decent. Decent is a very underused and underrated word but it's a big part of who you are. It literally gets me gooey inside. I love how you are with your family – I love how you were with my family and I will never forget how you had my back at the wedding.

You got me good, George. Maybe even from Day One. And I wasn’t even looking. Specifically, wasn’t looking. How could I be when I wasn’t fit to offer anything – but then you always make me feel like what I have to offer is enough. In fact, you make me feel more. Seen. Two such incredible gifts.

I can’t bollocksy-believe we may never get to finish our crossword book. May never get to stay up talking all through the night again. The thought of never getting to hear you whisper into my ear… or feel your lips on mine again… Or never again seeing those blue eyes of yours sparkle with humour, deepen with kindness, heat with passion…

It's literally the cruellest bollocks ever, George.

You once said I should try stand-up but I’m not sure funny is for me because I realise that if I was standing in front of you today, I’d be taking a giant leap and telling you I want serious with you. Life can be so short and white feathers on the ground or no white feathers on the ground, George, I have to tell you, at least one time out loud, that my heart’s involved and I’m: Five words, 7, 2, 4, 4, 3’

‘To re-record your message, press…’

Ashleigh and I stare at each other.

And then Carlos says ‘Hold up because I can’t with these crosswords. Did you just ask George to marry you?’ He turns to Oz. ‘Do we now need to find funds for a flight to Vegas?’

‘Get another clue,’ Oz tells him. ‘That’s only four words and it’s a question, not a statement.’

‘Although I suppose she is already wearing white…’ Hildy says, her gaze at full-on twinkle. ‘Well George? Do you need another clue?’

‘Thanks Hildy, but I’ve got this,’ I confirm, my eyes never leaving Ashleigh’s. I pull her into my arms. Smile down at her. ‘I’ll whisper it into your ear again later but right now, out loud, I’m saying that, Ashleigh Rivera, I am absolutely, five words, 7,2,4,4,3 falling-in-love-with-you, too.’

A beautiful, sexy, confident smile lights up her face. ‘I think this is the part where I kiss your face off,’ she says.

‘Oh, I’m so here for that,’ I tell her.

‘And staying for it.’ Hildy adds with a wink.

‘At least until we rush you off to Memorial for that job interview – ow,’ Oz says as Carlos aims another tap to his solar plexus.

‘Hell yes,’ I whisper to Ashleigh as the world drops away and it’s just the two of us. ‘Here for it and staying for it – for you.’

‘For “us”,’ she answers.

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