Page 98 of Destined Lovers

I want to do that. I want to tell her I forgive her for leaving me again.

I can’t.

A side I don’t recognize in myself is pushing her away. A side that doesn’t trust her not to run.

I’m so mad she put us through this again. I’m coming to terms with why she did it when she was younger. I mean, feck, she was only eighteen. They put her in an impossible situation.

What’s her excuse now?

This girl is my world. Why would she think she couldn’t come to me? I would have left if I genuinely thought it would be dangerous for us to stay together. Whatever would have kept her safest, I would have done in a heartbeat.

Then I think about her parents and her nightmares, which breaks me all over again. I don’t know how she is surviving, how she closes her eyes and dreams of her parent’s murder over and over.

I can’t help it. I lean in and kiss her one last time.

My poor girl, I love you, but please don’t run again. I almost didn’t survive it this time.

“Nora,” I whisper. “Wake up. We’re here.”

“Where are we?” She yawns, yet to open her eyes fully.

“We’re home in London,” I mutter.

She instantly sits up to look out the window. “Already? I missed driving through the city.” She frowns.

“Aye,” I answer but look away quickly, unable to handle more of her sadness.

While the driver opens Nora’s door, I step out on my side, watching her take in everything in awe. This is going to be a challenge living with her, spending all our time together.

I already know it. She’s my perfect match, and so much of me wants to forget and move on. But, I know I need to give myself time. My heart needs to trust before it falls again.

She bites her lip, with wide, nervous eyes, staring at my house.

“This is your home, the one you were re-doing?” she whispers.

“Aye.”

“It’s beautiful, Declan.” She puts her hand on her chest and takes a deep breath. “You’ve done so well for yourself. I know I’ve said it before, but I really am proud of you.”

I swallow my feelings and smile.

I’m proud of myself too. I’ve worked hard to be where I am today. Mainly because I was told by my parents my whole life that rugby would never amount to anything.

Remodeling this home to be accessible for Maeve is one of my biggest accomplishments.

“What part of London is this, again?” She glances over her shoulder, her eyes scanning the surrounding area.

“Notting Hill. When was the last time you were in London?”

She shrugs, “Not sure. When we brought you to Uni?”

My eyebrows raise in shock. That was around fourteen years ago.

I haven’t moved from my spot. I love watching her curious eyes as they bounce from the house to the street to the cars to me. Still biting her lip, nervous for what’s to come. I can’t blame her. I ripped her from her home and brought her to an even bigger city she’s unfamiliar with.

“Ready to head in so I can show you around?”

Her eyes stay glued open, and she nods nervously as she slowly makes her way to the front door.

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