Page 9 of The Promise
“Addison, you look exhausted after travelling. Why don’t you take off? I’m fine, I promise; they’re keeping me overnight for monitoring. Blake, why don’t you take her for somedinner?”
“No, I’m fine. I want to stay withyou.”
“It’s not up for discussion,” Aunt Addy says firmly. “There’s no point sitting here bored. Blake?” she prompts, looking forbackup.
“She’sright.”
“Fine, but you can take me home. I’m not going for dinner,” I snap, giving Aunt Addy the evil eye for setting this up. “I’ll come see you in the morning,” I say, before giving her a gentle kiss on thecheek.
I follow Blake out of the hospital, ignoring all his attempts to start a conversation with me. I didn’t need this on top of everything else. My head’s a mess as it is. I feel less prepared to talk to him about what happened than I have been since that fatefulnight.
* * *
“I said I didn’t want dinner,” I complain when he pulls into a pub carpark.
“Yes, but your grumbling stomach tells me something else. Just let me get you some food,Addison.”
He’s right, of course. I’d really hoped the noise of the car had drowned out my noisy belly. Clearlynot.
“Fine, just make it quick. No starters or desserts. Just dinner, and then you’re taking mehome.”
“Okay,” he mumbles before jumping out of thevan.
* * *
“So where have you been?” Blake asks once we’ve placed ourorder.
“London.”
“Again?”
“Yes.”
“Please can we just have a conversation?” he asks with pleading eyes. “At least let me get you a glass of wine. It might help yourelax.”
“I’m fine, thank you. I’d rather keep a clearhead.”
I sit back against the leather booth and cross my arms over my chest as I try to look interested in something on the other side of thepub.
“Addison, please. Just let meexplain.”
I make a snap decision I’m sure I’m going to regret, but I’m hungry and tired and not in the mood for this right now. “I’m moving into the flat tomorrow. Come around after work. It’ll be moreprivate.”
“Okay,” he agrees with a slight smile. Just that small twitch of his lips kicks off the butterflies in my stomach. Apparently, my body didn’t get the message that he’s a cheatingbastard.
The rest of our time in the pub is awkward. Blake asks about the flat and the bakery and I answer as briefly as possible. I’ve slept so badly over the last week or so that I’m exhausted and I can feel my body shutting down as I sithere.
“Come on, let’s get you home,” Blake says once we’ve finished eating, to myrelief.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say, before getting out of hisvan.
“I’m not sure what time but I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I nod my head to show I’ve heard him. “Thank you, Addison,” he says, so sincerely it brings tears to myeyes.
Fuck, I've missed him,I think as I lean back against the inside of the front door and listen to him back off thedrive.
