Page 45 of A Little Love Song in Seabury
Leah had waited until his hands came to rest and he gave his customary little nod, which signalled he’d reached the end of the piece.
It had taken every ounce of her nerve and patience to stay quiet… and now she was struggling to blink away the emotion the music had just wrung from her. It had been stunning—heart-breaking and tender… and the last thing she needed right now.
‘Hi!’ said Will, turning a beaming smile on her, only for it to slip. ‘You’re… dressed?’
Leah nodded. There was no way she was willing to have this conversation wearing one of the fluffy guest robes. So, she’d pulled her smart black trousers back on, her slightly crumpled white shirt… and her hair was pulled back in the most severe up-do she could manage.
Leah needed her armour again, and it looked like Will had noticed… even if he clearly didn’t understand what had changed since he’d left her napping so peacefully in his bed.
‘What’s up?’ he said with a little frown.
‘I’ve lost something,’ she said quietly, not really knowing where to start.
‘Something?’ he echoed.
‘A letter.’
‘Ah. The letter.’
Leah’s heart sank.So, Rosie had been right.
‘You’ve got it?’ she said.
Will nodded.
‘Is that what all this has been about?’ she said. Her voice felt like it was coming from a long way away.
‘All… this?’ he said, looking confused.
‘Don’t be cute,’ she huffed. ‘Today. The picnic. The beach. The strawberries… the…’ She paused. Her throat was aching with what felt like anger, or maybe unshed tears. ‘Thenap,’ she finished, gesturing impatiently at the bedroom. ‘Was it all just to try to keep me here? With you? To stop me from resigning?’
‘No!’ gasped Will, jumping to his feet and taking two strides towards her before freezing in place. ‘No!’ he said again, more gently this time. ‘All that… all this? It’s because I love you. I am in love with you, Leah. And whether you stay or go is completely up to you.’
He paused for a long moment, breathing hard.
‘Do I want you to stay? Yes, of course I do, more than anything! But will I be okay if you go? Probably. Eventually.’
He paused again, running his fingers roughly through his hair.
‘Either way,’ he said, his voice thick with emotion now, ‘I love you. So much that you’ve taken over my heart and soul and head.I love you so much that every time I’m near you, the music starts again.’
Leah swallowed hard and sniffed. ‘But… what if I have to go?’
‘That’s your choice,’ said Will, looking crushed.
‘And if I stay?’
‘That’s your choice,’ he said again, his voice sounding choked now, even as a smile tried to force its way onto his face.
Leah nodded, but she wasn’t ready to answer. Not yet.
‘Look,’ he said, ‘as we’re talking business, there’s something I need to give you, too. A letter I brought with me. I actually wrote it when we were in Paris, but I was just waiting for the right moment to talk to you about it.’
Leah blinked.
What was happening?!
‘If you do decide to stay, please will you consider this?’
