Page 41 of The Ending is the Best Part
I’m close enough now that I hear the tail end of the conversation.‘They don’t deserve you anyway,’ Eloise says.Her eyes are dewy with tears.
‘It’s okay.I’ve got everything I need right here,’ Xander replies, as he places one arm round each of us.
We spend the night schmoozing.Other party-goers linger around us and we’re constantly badgered by press asking about what the future may hold for us.
‘Any exciting projects lined up, before the new season starts?’ a journalist enquires, pen ready in hand, eager for some sort of exclusive.It doesn’t escape me that some nearby conversations have quietened, keen to hear the answer.We look at each other.The glint of mischief that dances in Xander’s eyes mirrors my own.
There is only one right answer.‘A rom-com,’ we say simultaneously.
The crowd reacts instantly with burbles of excitement and intrigue.We had talked extensively about what we should do next, and we decided we really wanted to write something that would remind people of what it means to reallylove– the ups and downs of it all.
The night draws to a close and we slip away from the crowd, stepping outside to find a spot where it’s just us.
I lean my head on Xander’s shoulder, letting out a sigh.‘Can you believe we made it here… after everything?’
‘Not to brag, but honestly?Hell yeah.We worked our arses off and it looks like it’s finally paid off.’ He lets out a deep chuckle.
‘That it did,’ I say, my chest puffing with pride.
He holds me close.We stand in the comfortable silence of two people who have no fear that one day the conversation will end.We’ll always be able to pick up where we left off.
Then, Xander peels away from me slightly.‘Hey,’ he says gently.‘I wondered if you had any idea for a title?For our rom-com?’
‘Oh, I did actually.How do you feel about…’ I pause for dramatic effect, ‘The Ending is the Best Part?’
Xander considers it for a moment.I watch nervously as he turns it over in his mind.He looks down at me and his eyes crinkle with happiness.‘I love it,’ he says.‘I love you.’
‘I love you too.’
It’s quiet in Leicester Square now.Everyone from the watch party has gone on somewhere else.We’ll join them soon.Xander grabs my hand and spins me once, twice under the glittering streetlights until we’re both giggling.Then, he stops me and holds me by the waist.He looks down at me, his gaze full of that look of longing that I hope I never become used to.Xander presses his lips to mine and I return his kiss gratefully.
It’s so perfect, you couldn’t write it.
