Page 92 of Unless It's You
“I thought that since your mom put that in her journal entry... and you happen to know an American who could show you around... this would be a good start.” Her face is open and anxious, and she studies mine, waiting for a response.
I squeeze her hand. “Who wants to go to America? It’s full of... Americans.”
“Right. We’re the worst.”
“You said it.”
She stifles a grin. “Ready forthe next one?”
“Yes, Hart.”
“Join—or Start—a Romance Novel Book Club.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, seriously. A hot man who reads contemporary romance novels? That’s amazing. You’d have a hundred women signing up for your book club.”
“What if I just ask one person to be in it?”
Stella tilts her head. “If they are the right person... then okay. But we might have to check with your advisor on that one.”
I throw back my head and laugh.
“Number three:Climb the Highest Mountains in the United Kingdom. You know, like we talked about before. Oh, and bring someone with you.” Stella drops my other hand and runs it through her hair, leaving a chunk out of place. I reach over and gently push it behind her ear, grazing her cheek with my fingers, leaving them there for an extra few seconds.
“That’s ambitious. How long do I have to do this?”
“Negotiable.” She grins at me, then it fades and Stella stares intently. “There’s truly magic here. And even if you’re not trying to connect with someone, it’s worth it to be up here and connect with yourself.”
“You’re right.” The silence descends on us for a moment, and we keep our eyes locked as the mountain wind moves Stella’s hair around her face. “But, you know, this isn’t actually a mountain, more like a big rock, and it’s much, much less of a climb than the highest one, which is Ben Nevis.”
“Yeah, I know, I did, like, thirty seconds of research. This is roughly half the elevation.” She shrugs, and I can tell she has no idea how hard it will be to climb Ben Nevis. I let it go. For now.
“You’ll need to buy some actual hiking boots to wear, not trainers.”
“Who saidI’mcoming with you?” She bites her lip, and my eyes are drawn to her gorgeous fucking mouth, her plump lips. I know what they can do. The tension between us is a live wire.
“Can I kiss you yet?”
Stella’s breath hitches and I see it all over her face. Hope. Happiness.
“No, not yet. There’s one more.”
“Go on.”
“Number four:Release Yourself from the Debt to Ben and His Family. Talk to them about it. Thank them for all they did, then let it go.”
Now it’s my turn for a breath to hitch.
“That’s going to be hard.” But releasing myself from that debt? Wasn’t it what I was just mulling over?
She slips her mobile back into her pocket. “Do you honestly believe that they think you owe them? I doubt it. And they would never let you pay them anything back, monetary or otherwise. That’s not what good people expect when they help a child. Maybe you can continue to give back in some way, and that would be what you need to let yourself off the hook. You’re already coaching those rugby boys. And you’ve been doing it for years.”
“You’re right.” She is. And I love her so much for it. Stella Hart is on my side, wholly and completely, and I know it. I feel it.
“I’m sorry for choosing Ben eighteen months ago. I didn’t think I had a chance with you back then. If I did, I would never have agreed to go out with Ben.”
“Stella . . .” Fuck, can I kiss her yet?
