Page 60 of Journey to You

Despite the tourists milling around, snapping photos and posing for selfies, a sense of peace infused her and she headed toward the back where the river flowed on a familiar path as old as time.

That had been their favourite spot—hers and Ethan’s—and while it may seem foolish, she knew she’d feel closer to him there.

Rounding the corner, a pair of rambunctious six year olds almost mowed her down and once they’d disentangled themselves, she brushed off her dusty pants and set off for the river.

A lone figure stood on the banks. A man, dressed in khaki chinos and a white polo shirt. A man whose breadth of shoulders she’d recognise anywhere, the casual stance with hands thrust into pockets so familiar.

As if sensing her presence, he turned, and her heart leapt with the overwhelming rush of recognition.

A surge of adrenalin urged her to run towards him but she’d done that before and he still hadn’t said he loved her.

Ethan had come, but he could be here for any number of reasons: scoping out another restaurant site, poaching another top chef, a business meeting.

However, as he strode towards her, long, hungry strides rapidly closing the distance between them, she knew he was here for none of those reasons.

The expression on his face told her why he’d come.

And the realisation took her breath away.

Thirty

They stopped less than a foot apart, enveloped in uncharacteristic awkwardness.

Tamara didn’t know whether to hug Ethan or strangle him; for making her love him, crave him, wait for him.

“You came.”

“I had to.” He smiled, his casual shrug belying the determined glint in his eyes. “Though you could’ve given me a precise time.”

“How long have you been waiting?”

“Since the crack of dawn.”

“Are you nuts?”

She conveniently omitted to tell him she’d been crazy enough to be here every day for a week on the off chance he’d show up early.

“Yeah.” He stepped closer, swamping her in warmth and charisma and magic. “I’m nuts about you.”

Her heart swelled, filled to overflowing with love for Ethan. He’d come, which meant he cared enough to take a chance on them.

But did he love her?

She needed to hear him say it, craving a declaration more than her next chai fix.

Trying to hide the cobra’s nest of nerves twisting and coiling in her stomach, she took a step forward and slid her hand into his.

“The feeling’s mutual.” She squeezed his hand, knowing his presence here spoke louder than words ever could, but needing to have everything out in the open for them to move forward. “Do you know why I chose here?”

His fingertips skated over her cheek, lingered on her jaw, before dropping to her shoulder, his touch firm and comforting as always.

“Because when we were here, you said it made you feel safe. And I understand that now, your need for security.”

“Do you really?” Her gaze searched his, needing reassurance, desperate for it. She wanted to believe him, wanted to believe in him. “Because I needed to feel safe when I discovered the baby’s existence and you weren’t there for me.”

Shadows drifted across his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

She accepted his apology but it didn’t eradicate her doubts. Not now, after they’d shared so much, been through so much together.

---