Page 27 of All Of My Heart

“I do. I can’t just keep a Tiffany ring, Harrison. That’s insane.”

I understand her reason, but it feels weird taking it back even though it shouldn’t.

“Keeping it would feel wrong,” she continues. “Plus, I don’t want to make any more of an idiot of myself.” She huffs an empty laugh.

“You never made an idiot of yourself.” Talking the ring from her hand.

The side of her mouth quirks upwards as she looks at me. “Debatable. I don’t usually try to marry my brothers’ best friend.”

“In your defence, you had a very good reason to want to marry me.”

“Your muscles?” she teases.

I laugh. “To get your trust fundandhave unlimited access to my muscles. We could’ve had it all, baby.” I flex my arm just to see if I can make her smile, and lucky for me, she does. A real Zoey smile. Pride warms my chest as I return her smile.

“Hmm. Remind me why I didn’t marry you for real.” She fans herself.

“Beats me.” I shrug.

“I’m going to take a bath and then pack for the flight later.”

She turns to leave, and my first instinct is to ask if I can see her when we’re back in London. It’s probably not a good idea, considering the last twenty-four hours, but there’s something between us, but is it a friendship? Is it just how Zoey is with everyone? I’ve seen her with Aaron this week. She’s so comfortable and approachable. Maybe this is just part of her charm, part of who she is. Maybe I’m reading into something.

I let her go without calling her back, ignoring the voice in my head demanding that I tell her to turn around and come back here. I haven’t been possessive over a woman for a long time and it’s not a good idea to start now. Not with a psycho ex stalking me and a business that’s busier than ever. I shake my head and turn, going into the living area and flicking on the coffee machine.

As the smoky aroma fills the room, I suck in a deep inhale and remember that I haven’t done any yoga since being here. Hell, maybe that’s why I’ve been so on edge around Zoey. I drink my coffee, put on my sweats, and head to my room to do a short session to relieve some tension.

I put on my meditation playlist that plays sounds from being outdoors, making me miss the hikes I usually do on weekends outside of London to clear my head. There isn’t anything better than being outside of the city and taking that first deep breath of fresh air.

I move slowly through my positions, stretching out any muscles that need it and lingering in poses that make me feel good. Before I know it, I’m sweating and feeling much calmer. Pushing up from Child’s Pose, I kneel with my eyes closed, drawing in some deep breaths, as I let my body come down from the session while I reflect on this trip so far.

My mind replays so many moments we’ve had on this trip, but the one that gets stuck in my head the most is why we almost got married. We both needed to feel in control again, her with her trust fund and me with my ex. It’s not the most romantic reason to get married, but it would be a business transaction, a means to an end.

We’re just two people who have been dealt a difficult hand right now and found something in one another for a moment. And I can’t ignore that something about Zoey feels unfinished, and now that my head is clearer, I’ve got an idea that could benefit us both. I need to talk to her today, and I won’t take no for an answer.

Moving to the bathroom door, I shower quickly, dress, and start throwing my things into my case. I zip my case, check I have everything, and walk into the living area of the suite.

“There he is, my almost husband.” She beams, that playfulness I love seeing on her glimmering all over her face.

“We ready to go?” I ask.

My leg is nervously bouncing up and down as I wait for the others to fall asleep. I’m three down, but Owen is being stubborn and refusing to sleep. I might just need to pray he doesn’t care if I go and sit next to his sister.

Fuck it, I’m doing it.

Hauling my body from the seat, I immediately gain Owen’s attention, his blue eyes—almost the exact shade of his sister’s—narrow, but I ignore him as best I can. “Just going to chat to Zoey, seeing as though you’re ignoring me,” I mumble as I move.

He huffs but doesn’t say anything, concentrating on his phone. Good, ignore me, please.

I squeeze down the aisle to the seat next to Zoey. She’s awake, thankfully, and has her headphones in. As if sensing my presence, she looks up at me, removing one of them with a smile. “Hey, mountain man. Miss me already?”

“Of course I miss my roomie,” I say, hoping I don’t sound as desperate as I feel. My body hums with nerves because I’ve had an idea that is either really smart or really stupid.

“Oh, you flatter me.” She waves me off, then looks me up and down when she realises I’m hovering. “You gonna stand there all day or?” she says, moving her legs from the seat across from her so I can sit.

I take the seat across from her and stare at her petite frame in the huge leather seats. Her blonde hair that’s scrapped up in a bun on top of her head, her freckles are on show, dusting across her nose, and her sunglasses are wedged somewhere in her hair. “So, what’s up? You look like you have something to say.”

I rub the skin on the back of my neck to relieve pressure, to no avail. “I do… I was thinking about what happened.” I look around to check we don’t have an audience and lower my voice. “Or what nearly happened.”

---