Page 108 of All Mine
‘I was hoping you’d say that.’
She extended her hand to him again and he stood with her, pulled her into him, and she sighed, long and slow.
‘I’ll need to get up early in the morning to sort everything out,’ she said into his shoulder. ‘Cancel the bookings and the opening arrangements, change the social media adverts. . . fill the skip.’ She sighed again and he felt her disappointment inside his own body. Everything she’d worked so hard for, smashed to smithereens. The focus of her whole year, her adult life even, snatched away just as it was within taking distance.
‘Don’t cancel anything,’ he said. ‘Leave it all to me.’
She pulled away to see his face. Her skin was pale with shock and fatigue.
‘I can’t do that. . .’ she said, shaking her head and wrinkling her nose. ‘It’s my business.’
He moved his hands to the top of her arms, shaking her ever so gently so that she listened.
‘I know you want to do everything on your own,’ he said. ‘I know you’re an independent, successful woman. But let me help. You helped me. You help everyone. I won’t let you down.’ It was suddenly vitally important to prove it to her. To show her he was a man of his word.
She lifted an eyebrow, considering.
‘You’ll open on Saturday as planned,’ he insisted and a tiny light of hope rekindled in her eyes.
‘But that’s the day after tomorrow.’ She lifted her hands to the sky in despair. ‘And there’s nothing left of the restaurant.’
‘Trust me,’ Etienne said, pulling her back against him. ‘I have an idea.’
Mia Famiglia WhatsApp group
Mamma: Everything ready for the launch?
Isabella: Hmm. Not quite. We’re having a few last-minute setbacks.
Papà: I’m sure you’ll work it out. You always do.
Isabella: Let’s hope so!
Mamma: I’m so sorry we can’t be there.
Papà: But we’ll be thinking of you.
Mamma: And we’re proud of you, darling.
Papà: So proud.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Isabella
She couldn’t stop looking at Etienne there in her flat, touching him as he sat on her sofa, his hands entwined with hers. She’d watched him help Nonna on with her coat before she went out, help Gabi lift the heavy bar cabinets, find brooms and mops for Amber, Wren and Rosie. Since hearing his story and his reasons for pushing her away, she understood the man behind the reputation. She saw Etienne as the loyal, fiercely family-loving man he was. As well as being a total sex god. And now he was going to stay the night. Or what was left of it.
‘And don’t worry,’ he said, with a half-laugh. ‘I know what day it is.’ They’d both glanced at the calendar hanging there on the kitchen wall. The one with all the red Xs on it marking off the year. The day after tomorrow was supposed to be opening day– the last day of her year’s promise to herself. ‘I’m just here to hold you.’
She considered that for a split mini second. The thought of Etienne spooning her all night, folded around her like a blanket, made her go gooey inside. But her nipples didn’t seem to understand they’d recently been in a near-death situation and were screaming for attention.
‘Maybe we could relax the rules for the night. . .’ she said, unconsciously pulling her lower lip with her teeth. His eyes glinted as he looked back at her from the calendar. He put his hand under her chin and lifted her face to his.
He was so close she could feel his breath on her face as he whispered, ‘We only have a couple of nights left until you’ll have kept your promise to yourself.’
‘So, no sex then?’ she said, almost sulkily, and he laughed.
‘No sex,’ he agreed. ‘I’m not going to be the one that breaks your promise. I’m going to be the one that helps you keep it.’
