Page 238 of Falling for You
Oh God, what am I saying? This isn’t why I came here! Why didn’t I think about what I was going to say?
‘Thanks,’ she says coolly, and I realise with a jolt that I’ve been silent again.
I need to say something or she’s going to leave for good. ‘I’m sorry for how I spoke to you on Saturday.’
She places her suitcase onto the floor and I fight the urge to carry it for her.
‘It’s fine,’ she says. ‘I’m sorry I ran out on you and assumed the worst. I should have known better …’
We drift into silence again, and just when I think I’m about to start chatting about the weather in some desperate attempt to saysomethingto her, Annie explodes.
‘Fuck, Nate! Why are you here?’ she cries. ‘Why can’t you just let me forget you?’
My heart thuds. ‘Is that what you want? To forget me?’
She stares back at me, and I notice her eyes glisten. She turns her back on me, throwing her arm in the air.
‘No!’ she cries, turning around again. ‘Of course that isn’t what I want. But I don’t have a choice, do I? You’re going back to New York.’ I hold my breath. ‘Aren’t you?’ she adds, when I don’t respond.
I give a small nod.
‘It’s just not meant to be, is it? The universe doesn’t want us together.’ She gives a small laugh. ‘Just go, Nate. I don’t know what you’re doing here.’
I close my mouth, a cold stone dropping through my body as I suddenly start to question what I’m doing here too.
‘Sure,’ I say eventually. ‘I just … I just don’t think you should quit your business. You’re the most talented person I’ve ever met. Really, you’re great.’
I turn on the spot and begin to walk away, when her voice calls after me.
‘I really was falling for you, you know.’
Her voice is scratchy and desperate, like it’s forced itself out of her mouth of its own accord.
‘What?’ I look back to face her. Exasperation is spreading across her face.
‘You asked me if I felt the same as you did,’ she says. ‘I do. And I know you’re going back to New York, which probably is a good thing as it was all too perfect anyway, but just so you know, I really, really like you. More than I think I’ve ever liked anyone, which is mad since I didn’t even know you a few weeks ago, and fuck! Every sign from the sodding universe seems to be destined to keep us apart or together or fucking apart again, but this is just how I feel and I’m sorry but I—’
But her words are lost, because by this point I’ve walked up to her. I’ve placed my hands firmly on her face and I’ve kissed her. I’ve kissed her with everything in my body, and she’s kissing me back, our arms wrapped around each other like we’re never going to let each other go.
And that’s a promise I make to myself right there.
Annie: I will never let you go.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
SIX MONTHS LATER
Annie
I look around my bright, airy apartment in West Norwood. Second floor, new-build looking out over a stream. White, neutral walls (I’ll be changingthatpronto) and glistening, slick kitchen cupboards and drawers.
‘What do you think?’ I smile.
‘I hate it.’
I roll my eyes, laughing, as Penny stomps out of the bedroom.
‘Where the hell am I supposed to sleep?’ she demands. ‘And Tanya? We can’t all fit in here!’
