Page 42 of Such a Sweet Girl

My stomach filled with butterflies. I looked up, Alex’s perfect face in front of me. My brain didn’t catch up to the picture in front of me.

‘You’re here?’ I said on an exhale.

‘I’m here.’

I was in his arms before I could take another breath.

And while Paris had restored a piece of my soul, being wrapped in his arms was home. The instant his arms curled round my spine, and his lips found mine, I burst into happy tears.

The months of waiting washed away, our kisses growing salty as I laughed and cried against his mouth.

‘When did you get here?’

‘I flew in this morning. I couldn’t be so close and so far. I had to see you. I hope it’s okay?’

‘It’s better than okay. It’s amazing.’

Our mouths melded in another deep kiss, growing slower and more tentative, learning one another’s rhythms all over again.

‘How long can you stay?’ I asked when I broke the kiss.

‘Three days. If you’re happy to share a bed?’

‘Oh, I’d be ecstatic to share a bed.’

And there, in the most romantic city in the world, I started my next chapter with the man of my dreams, following the life I’d always dreamt of.

‘I need to tell you something,’ Alex said, a little furrow forming between his brows.

‘What?’

‘I love you, Francesca. I’ve loved you since last summer. And I’ve regretted not telling you every minute since.’ Sincerity washed over his features, sending warmth expanding through me.

‘You love me?’

‘Fuck, yes. You’re amazing, beautiful, smart, funny. I fell for you the very first day we met.’ His voice deepened, and I fought back a fresh wave of giddy tears.

‘I love you, too.’ I laughed, throwing my arms around his neck and peppering his face with kisses.

EPILOGUE

ALEXANDER

Rain muttered against my window, London stretching out in its dreary-dayed greyness beyond the amassing droplets.

‘Elmo,’ I groaned, pushing the cat’s ass off my chest, far too close to my face for comfort. ‘It’s not time to get up.’

‘Aw, Elmo, come here cutie-pie,’ Francesca said, scooping his black furry body against hers.

Purring like a tractor, Elmo tucked himself against my girl, blinking at me like he’d become the king of the bed.

Chopsy little fucker.

Rolling over, I scratched him under the chin, knowing he would melt, letting me snuggle closer to the two of them.

‘Morning, sweetheart.’

‘Mmmm,’ Francesca murmured, tipping her face to mine to graze my mouth with her own. ‘Morning.’

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