Page 20 of Destined Lovers

Again, I’m at a loss. So, I go with the truth.

“I’m not sure how to navigate this, Nora. The one thing I do know is I can’t watch you walk away again. I’ll do anything you want, but please don’t leave me because a life without you is no life at all.”

Feck’s sake, I sound pathetic.

I know it.

She knows it.

The truth is I can’t deal with her leaving me again. It will cripple me.

Nora still hasn’t turned around for me to see her fully, but at least she hasn’t moved closer to the house.

She’s staring off into the garden when she asks, “No more questions until I’m ready?”

“I promise you, Hanora. On my life, not until you’re ready.”

She nods, satisfied. “Do you want to stay for a drink, then?”

Fecking, shocked. I think my voice goes up fifteen octaves when I practically scream, yes!

“And, Dec?”

“Yeah, Pip?”

“My name is Riley now. Nora is for when we are alone only. Got it?”

“What?” I asked, confused. I heard the bartender say it the other night, but what is she going on about?

She finally turns and faces me full-on and motions to zip her lips.

“Remember, no more questions.” She smiles, winks, and walks through the door.

“Coming?” she yells.

Aye, you can bet your arse I am.

4

Nora

I cannotfathom why I just agreed to that. Hearing the vulnerability in Declan’s voice, practically pleading with me, did something to my insides, and I couldn’t deny him any longer.

My “ten-year plan” just got fecked up the arse, for lack of better words.

Though the second I let my guard down, the second I asked him to stay for a drink was the first time I felt at ease for what feels like forever.

I’m not ready to explain what’s going on in my life and why I ran all those years ago. However, I know I’ll have to let him in on a few things, especially before Agnes comes home.

“We usually don’t keep beer here. Do you still drink gin and tonics?”

“We? Do you live with your parents?” he asks as he snoops around the house.

I try my hardest not to react to what feels like a punch to the gut. He has no idea that they died. How could he? But still, hearing him ask me about them kills me a little inside, and I know it will break him just as much as it broke me once I tell him.

I can’t be mad at him for asking the question. He’s not trying to get answers, it’s conversation, and he’s genuinely curious. It just happens to be one of the hardest to answer because they were a huge reason why I ran.

“No, actually, I live with a wonderful woman named Agnes. This is her place, and my apartment is downstairs. She’s like my second nan to me, we share everything.”

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