by Heidi Rice
‘So you drove her away because of your pride. Oh, Miles. Are you still in love with Lori?’ Andy’s voice was shaking.
‘No. Not any more.’
He should have lied. Told her he and Lori were still nuts about each other and she had dumped her current boyfriend the moment she cast eyes on him, walking, talking, polished life and soul of the party just as the old Miles had been before the accident.
But his reply had come out of his mouth without a second of hesitation and as soon as he said the words he knew that they were true.
He had been over Lori for a long time.
Her gaze locked onto his face, with eyes blurred with tears and an expression of the deepest affection and anguish he had ever seen. The emotion in those lovely green eyes rendered him speechless.
‘Of course not. There isn’t room for anything but your ego. All of this past week I have heard a lot about how you are trying to prove to the sporting world that you are fit and back in the game because you owe it to your family and the business.’
She shook her head slowly from side to side. ‘Stop kidding yourself. You are not pushing your body through pain and pretending that everything is okay for the business! You are doing it to prove to yourself that you are still the same man. The champion, the king. Well, congratulations, the press adore you. I only hope it makes you happy.’
Andy stepped forwards so that he could have reached out for her if he’d wanted.
‘Everything has come so easily to you, Miles. You have achieved everything you set out to do and more, and instead of celebrating your achievements you put yourself through that little game of charades back there. You have so many remarkable gifts and talents and all you can see is what you cannot do. And do you know what? You didn’t just humiliate me just now—you humiliated yourself.’
Instinctively he stretched out his arms towards her, but she pushed him away.
‘Don’t try and contact me. Just. Don’t.’
And with that she turned away and he sagged back against the wall and watched the woman he now knew that he was in love with walk away from him. Without looking back. Not knowing that the only person he wanted to adore him was her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
From: Andromeda@ConstellationIllustrations
To: Saffie@Saffronthechef
Hey busy lady. Hope the Christmas party diners are not driving you too mad. The museum has never been busier with Christmas shoppers fitting in an hour of culture and a coffee break between the stores. Did I tell you that I talked the café owner into stocking that wonderful coffee I had at the Gibsons’? Huge success. I am now high on caffeine and loving it almost as much as my Christmas card sales.
Only two more weeks to go and I can take Christmas off. Bliss.
Madge sends her love. Me too. Andy
‘I AM so pleased that you enjoyed the galleries.’ Andy smiled into the face of a tiny lady as she popped a splendid book on the porcelain collection into a museum carrier bag. ‘But do remember to come back and see us in January,’ she added, and nipped out from behind the counter to hand it over in person. ‘The new exhibition of ancient Chinese jade promises to be something very special.’
Her last customer of the day gave her a short bow, and Andy was just about to head back to the desk when a stunning and familiar scent wafted towards her from the entrance and she spun around.
And her legs froze to the spot.
‘Miles. What … what are you doing here?’ she said, her voice thin and high and pathetic as her poor heart tried to cope with the shock of the sight of the tall figure who had strode into the museum shop area. Filling the space with his presence and her mind with exuberant, unexpected and wonderful delight. ‘I thought you were in Spain.’
‘Hey, girl,’ he drawled in that delicious voice that had the power to make her legs turn to jelly. ‘I seem to remember that this museum has a great exhibition of illustrated books. Any chance I could have a guided tour?’
‘A tour.’ She coughed and blinked at his smiling, stunning, amazing face for a few seconds before her brain caught up with his question. ‘Oh. I’m sorry. We close in two minutes. You will have to come back …’
But she never got to finish her sentence, because he crossed the few steps that separated them, his gaze fixed on her, wiping out any chance of sensible thought.
Oh, Lord. He looked even more tanned and gorgeous. And smelt better. And every cell in her body screamed out about how much she had longed to see his face. Every day that they had been apart had been a torture.
‘I’ve missed you,’ he said with a smile on his lips and in his eyes. ‘More than I can say. Any chance that we can get out of here and find somewhere that sells coffee? Because you look good enough to eat.’
Then he walked forwards, pulled her none too gently into his arms, pressed the fingers of one hand into her hair, angled his head and kissed her with every bit of passion and supressed joy that three weeks, two days away from the person you loved could bring. And she kissed him back, matching the touch of his tongue against hers, the hot wetness of his mouth a delicious taster of things to come. She couldn’t help it. She had been longing and hoping for this moment to come.
It was Miles who broke the kiss and allowed her to breathe again, and she was just about to go into round two when he grinned and nodded towards the entrance of the museum.
And swung one arm under her legs and the other arm around her back.
Suddenly her legs were swinging in open air.
Because he had picked her up.
And without saying a word, Miles started walking with her kicking in his arms, out of the shop and across the marble paving towards the main door.
Much to the entertainment of the other museum staff and patrons.
Andy squealed out in terror and flung her arms around his neck as she screamed out, ‘What are you doing? Put me down right now. I’ve been comfort eating for the past three weeks. You’re going to hurt your leg. Miles!’
His reply was a grin. ‘I’m okay. In fact, I am better than okay.’
Andy turned to see her friend the security guard winking at her as he held open the heavy door.
Two minutes later Andy was standing outside in the still bitterly cold December air with her hand pressed against her mouth, trying not to giggle.
‘Well, there goes my reputation at the museum,’ she chortled. ‘How shocking!’
‘I agree,’ Miles replied and opened up his long warm down coat so that she could step inside. ‘Totally scandalous. Although it does give me some hope.’
‘Hope?’
‘That maybe I can persuade you to forgive me a little.’
She whisked a stray snowflake from his shoulder. ‘Will it involve grovelling?’ she asked, trying to stay calm.
‘Guaranteed. And this is our ride,’ he said and gestured with his head towards the Rolls Royce motor car that was parked in the no-parking zone with the engine running. ‘Let’s go and get that coffee.’
He opened the passenger door and ran one hand down the length of her arm, and the sensuous pleasure of that simple gesture was too much and in an instant she was snuggling next to him on the back seat of the car.
They sat in comfortable silence for a few seconds, both staring straight ahead, until Andy’s heart was ready to burst, and at the exact same time that she turned to ask him what he had been doing Miles opened his mouth and said, ‘Did you know it was snowing?’
Then they both burst out laughing and, just like that, Andy felt the wonderful connection between them click back into place, the tension gone in a flash.
‘You first.’ Andy smiled, and pushed at his shoulder. ‘Tell me about the past three weeks.’
‘Three weeks, two days, and …’ Miles glanced down at a watch that had so many dials on the face it must be hard for him to find the time of day, ‘… twenty-two hours. Which is far too long.’
Andy inhaled a long slow breath as Miles carried on. ‘Taking time out with my folks. Enjo
ying the sunshine. I made an effort and reconnected with old friends who I hadn’t seen for years because of the constant travelling, and competing. And I made a few new ones. And along the way I began to realise something so incredible about myself that had somehow got lost in the shuffle that surrounded the accident.’
His voice had sounded low, calm and confident—but there was just enough of a tremble in those last few words to make her turn to face him.
‘What was it? What did you find out, Miles?’
He twisted around on the seat, glanced down and clasped his long cool fingers around hers, before smiling into her face.
‘That you were right. That I had lost the simple joy of being with people and family and friends and having a barbecue on the beach and watching the sunset. That I could ask for help and people gave it without asking for anything in return. And that has to make me the biggest idiot in the world.’
Apparently there was something fascinating in her hair, and he released one of her hands to gently pop a stray strand behind her ear as he spoke. ‘Yesterday morning I stood on the warm sand on my own two feet and felt the sunshine on my shoulders and I felt happier in that moment than I had felt for years.’
Hair safe, he dropped his hand back to take hers, his eyes on hers. ‘And then it hit me. I had to say goodbye to the old Miles, so I could say hello to the new Miles. The Miles who enjoys every second of his life with the people he loves. Some clever person told me that and I am here to thank her.’
‘Do you miss him? The old Miles?’
‘No. But I also know I wouldn’t have missed being him for the world. Because he helped to create me and gave me a life of glorious Technicolor detail where I was living on the adrenaline rush and sea and surf. And I am grateful to him for that.’
Andy dropped her shoulders and pressed her lips together before speaking. ‘The old Miles wouldn’t settle for a black-and-white, sepiatinted life. But what about the new Miles? What does he want?’
His eyebrows rose high but there was a strength in his reply that lifted her spirit.
‘I have a new job. Jason and I took some one-to-one time away from the office and came up with a small sports-mentoring initiative. We have used our contacts to pull together a small team of professional sportsmen and women who are willing to share their knowledge with the new young talent coming along. The master classes will be held all around the world but the organisation will be based in London, of all places.’
He frowned and blinked in pretend confusion. ‘For some reason Jason thinks that I am the right man to run it. How about that?’
‘It’s a wonderful idea, Miles. You would be an inspiration to so many people. I know that you helped me. More than I can say.’
‘Right back at you. You showed me that business is not just about money, it’s about making dreams come true.’
‘Me? I showed you that?’
He tapped her lightly on the end of her nose and shrugged. ‘Look at you. You made a new life for yourself. And you should be proud of being brave enough to take the chance.’
‘Brave? Oh, Miles. Nothing could be further from the truth. For most of my life I have been the worst kind of coward.’
Andy slid her fingers from his so that she could rest her hands on his arms.
‘I never told you about my dad, did I? No. You see …’
She looked at Miles, suddenly terrified, but what she saw in his face gave her the courage to carry on. ‘When my dad lost his job he had a nervous breakdown. A bad one. He even spent time in hospital.’
She paused, her lips pressed tightly together. ‘And when he came out he told me that he felt as though the whole world was pressing down on him, crushing him into the floor, harder and harder until all that was left of him was a greasy smear on the pavement. Can you believe that? A man who used to advise financial directors from some of the world’s leading institutions thought that he was nothing but a dirty mark other people walked on?’
She shook her head. ‘My parents found out the hard way that when the money ran out and the jobs disappeared overnight, that they had nothing to fall back on. We lost everything. So I started to protect myself from things that had not even happened and my world became smaller and smaller instead of bigger.’
Miles reached out for her hands and wrapped them up, safe and warm, giving her the strength to carry on. ‘How did you get through that?’ he asked in a low voice full of care.
‘I did what I had to do. My parents took off overseas. I was out on my own. So I stopped being curious and adventurous. I couldn’t take the risk. I think my spirit was withering and crushed inside of me. Until you came along. And you dragged me out of my comfort zone and forced me to re-evaluate what was important. I thought I knew, but I didn’t.’
‘Me? I did that?’
‘I needed help to face my fear and take control—and start living in the future and not keep making decisions out of fear. And I was scared. I felt as though I were about to cross a great chasm with only one of those flimsy rope bridges attached to each side. I was scared to look down and just the thought of it made me feel sick and dizzy because I knew that if I stumbled and fell, this time there would be no getting back up again. This was it. My last chance.’
She smiled up into the handsome face that was staring at her with such delight and astonishment. And she kissed him on the lips.
‘So I shocked Elise and walked away from my job and started work at the museum six days a week. They needed someone to cover the late shift and I was happy to do it. And it means that I have the rest of the day to work on my art and study.’
‘Does it make you happy?’
‘Yes. It does. Very happy. I am never going to make a lot of money but it is enough and I will create something lovely and special and magical that I will be proud of. You helped me to do that, Miles. Thank you.’
His gaze scanned her face for a few seconds.
‘I still haven’t forgiven myself for what happened. Lori did care about me—she’s a great girl. It was never about her—it was always about me. And I’m sorry that you were dragged into that part of my life. It was unfair.’
One of his hands slid out from between hers and his fingertips glided languorously across her forehead and cheek before lingering on the base of her throat and when he spoke, his voice was soft and intimate. ‘That’s why I am back in London. I want to see you again, Andy. Very much. I want to be with you. But that all depends on you. Tell me now. Do you think we can get past what happened that night and move on, so that we can be together?’
As his fingertip touched her brow and then her cheek Andy could feel the slight trembling in his touch. He meant it. He truly meant it. And her poor lonely heart forgave him right then and there. And forgave her treacherous body for not being able to resist him at the same time.
He was looking at her now, a faint hopeful smile on his lips.
‘I won’t let you down, Andy. Never again.’
‘I know,’ she whispered and smiled at him, tears running down her cheeks. ‘Otherwise I wouldn’t be saying yes. Yes, Miles. Yes.’ And then she forgot what she was going to say next because he was hugging her so closely and kissing her breathless. Laughing, crying, and then laughing so much that she did not even notice that the car had stopped.
It was Miles who pulled away first.
‘Do you see where we are?’ he asked with a lilt in his voice.
Andy tore her gaze from his face as Miles opened the car door and stepped outside.
It was the coffee shop where they had first met for the Internet date.
Miles stretched out his hand and, taking her fingers in his, drew her out of the Rolls Royce car and into the coffee shop.
Only it looked nothing like the place she remembered and she came to a dead stop just inside the door. ‘Wow.’
Because there were no customers. No bustle of voices and chatter. Not even baristas.
The harsh white halogens had been switched off, and in their place whit
e pillar candles and candelabra created subtle but warm light.
Spanish music played softly in the background and mountains of fresh flowers in every possible colour combination occupied every corner of the room. Red roses and white freesias spilled out from crystal vases at the centre of each table—but as her eyes acclimatised to the riot of colour and the soft light and shadows her gaze focused on something so familiar she had to stifle a gasp of delight.
The tablecloths had been replaced by white cloths with a single logo—her logo—the one she had designed for Cory Sports, embroidered at the centre in red and blue and gold.
And it looked wonderful.
‘Oh, Miles. This is … beautiful,’ she whispered.
She looked back, then drew him forwards, clutching his arm as she looked around in disbelief.
‘I’m glad you like it. Because this is for you. This is all for you.’
Andy turned around to look into his face. The candlelight caught the snowflakes on his coat and his skin looked golden and warm, as if it had been dusted with gold dust.
‘I have an anniversary present for you,’ he whispered, and as Andy gazed at him she realised that he was nervous. Which was so new that the final traces of her resentment seemed to melt as fast as the snowflakes. He had done all this for her. And her heart dissolved into mush.
Miles reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a heart-shaped box tied with a wide red ribbon.
‘We met for the first time five weeks ago today. And that needs celebrating.’
She smiled to herself and tugged at the bow. A girl could always use more chocolates in her life.
But then she opened the box, and inside was a small velvet jeweller’s box nestling in a sea of deep pink fresh rosebuds and white jasmine, the perfume almost overwhelming.
She ran her fingers over the box and the hard knot of loss she had been carrying for weeks dissolved as she realised what he was doing and why.
Andy swallowed down hard and looked into his face. ‘Oh, Miles …’