“The guy who liked blondes is gone. Don’t mistake him for me. In fact…” I reached to the inside pocket of my coat.
This was supposed to wait until tomorrow, but I wasn’t a patient man. Besides, tonight felt like the right moment. I fished out a white box with green ribbon tied around the lid.
“My bed is yours,” I muttered in her ear, placing the box in the palm of her hand. “And so is this.”
Nadia’s heartbeat accelerated. I could feel it underneath my fingertips that caressed her ribs. She turned to the side to get a better look at me, her eyes wide.
“Take it back,” she uttered. “This is crazy, Thomas. Give it a few more months until you’re certain, okay?”
I frowned. She hadn’t opened the box, but she already shot me down. Was I missing something?
Oh…
The box was small, and similar to the one that housed Nick’s and Mel’s wedding rings.
“What do you think is inside?” I chuckled, relaxing.
Yeah, it was too soon for an engagement. Just a little, though.
Nadia blushed, biting on her lip, then took the lid off, gawking at the silver key inside.
“Is this...” she stuttered, looking up. “Is this for emergencies?”
“I want you to move in with me. And before you start protesting…”
“Okay,” she cut in, pressing her lips to mine. “I’ll move in with you. It makes sense, doesn’t it? I hardly use my apartment anyway, and I can’t say I wouldn’t enjoy monopolising all of your free time.” She kissed me again, then frowned. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you’re being reasonable. I had an answer to every one of your possible arguments at the ready to convince you.”
She smiled, getting up from my knees, lacing our fingers and dragging me toward the house. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who needed to touch her all the time as if she could disappear if I stopped.
“You don’t have to convince me that I want you forever. I just wantyouto be sure before you go down on one knee. Moving in together might just fast-forward it a couple of months.”
I stopped in my tracks, pulling on her hand. Damn, Christmas. The shops were closed until Boxing day. I could have gotten a ring on her tonight.
Nadia slammed into my chest, her eyes gleeful, cheeks rosy.
“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”
CHAPTER 23
THOMAS
At your service
My mother had a slight, excited fit when I arrived at my parents’ house with Nadia by my side. I didn’t bother to let them know that I wouldn’t be coming alone.
The delight on my mother’s face proved it was a good choice. She loved surprises, and I could imagine that meeting my girlfriend, the first one ever, was better than any gift I could buy.
My father had a different outlook on the situation. He saw me at my lowest point when Nadia left. Now, I regretted arriving at his office in the heart of London in a disgraceful, drunken state. I wasn’t even sure why of all people, I chose to manifest my heartache to my father, but I did. There was no erasing the words I spoke.
It would take Dad a while to accept that I loved Nadia despite her tearing my heart out. A cold, stiff greeting was all he offered. Her shoulders sagged; her confidence evaporated.
“Mum, I’m sure Nadia would love a tour of your library.”
She was a quick-witted person and caught the suggestive note in the tone of my voice. She smiled, hooking her arm with Nadia’s.
“Of course. We’ll be back in just a moment. I’ll send Annabel your way with a coffee.”