“You got my text!”
“I did, along with eighty voicemails from Karen and quite a few other texts from you about today’s meeting.” Sinking onto the ground, he swivels to face me. “They all came through early this morning when I turned on my mobile driving home.”
“You had your phone off?” God, no wonder we couldn’t get in touch.
“I needed some head space, some time to think,” Jeremy says. “With everything that happened . . . I was so tired, Ser. I didn’t have reception at my B&B in the Black Mountains, so I switched off the mobile. I didn’t mean to stay so long, but once I got up there, I realised how desperate I was for a break.”
Nodding, I study the grass, both eager and fearful for what he might say next.
“Serenity . . .” Gently, Jeremy reaches out, tipping up my chin. I meet his gaze, my heart pumping painfully inside my chest, as if it’s too big for the space.
“Karen told me everything you did, from developing the fundraising plan to working with the market. The money order convinced the trustees if we put together a regular rota of activities, it will be possible to cover our costs without relying fully on corporate donors.”
“Oh, thank God.” A small whoosh of victory washes over me, and the weight on my chest eases slightly. I did it! I managed to save the charity. But has it shown Jeremy we can count on each other when times are tough? That we can share our worries and fears? That we’re strong enough to move past all this?
A million questions spring to mind; words I want to pour out. But before I can say anything, Jeremy takes my hand, interlacing his fingers with mine. I stare at the olive skin against my pale white, still unable to believe he’s actually here.
“No relationship is ever going to be perfect, as much as we want it to be. Of all people, we should understand that.” He tucks a wayward strand of hair behind my ear. “But I know you’ll be there for me when I need you. Everything you did to stop the article – to help save the charity – more than proves it. I have to learn to trust you. With the past . . . Julia, and all that . . . I just got a bit shaky.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the story, or that I knew of Julia’s donation. I didn’t realise keeping it in would complicate things.” The words burst from me. “From now on, we’re going to be the most open and honest couple out there. We’ll share everything, no matter how small.” My voice trembles with conviction.
Winding his arms around me, Jeremy pulls me against his solid form. I bury my nose in his neck, breathing in the scent I missed so much. I swear, if I could magically meld my body to his and stay here forever, I would.
Jeremy lifts his head, raising an eyebrow. “Now that we’re being open and honest, are pasta balls really an exotic delicacy?” His eyes twinkle.
Uh-oh. I almost start protesting, but I swallow it back. “Well, not exactly.”
He laughs softly. “I kind of figured that. And Serenity, there’s just one more thing I need to tell you.” His face resumes its serious look, and my heart drops. Do I want to hear what he has to say? Then I remind myself keeping quiet was what got us into this mess.
“Okay,” I say, trying to stay calm.
“Well, when times were tough, I poured a lot of my own resources into the charity. If the trustees had called in my personal guarantee . . .” He shakes his head. “It wouldn’t have been good. Things are a bit tight with money right now.”
“That’s fine.” I shrug. Things have always been tight for me – if Jeremy needs to cut back, at least we’ll be on the same budget for once.
“So here’s what I’m thinking,” he continues. “Julia and I bought the Marylebone house at an auction without a mortgage, and it’s pretty much doubled in value since I restored it. With all the money difficulties at Top Class, I reckon Julia will be keen to sell and get some extra cash, too.”
“Where will you live?” I try to imagine Jeremy in another place.
“Well . . .” A tender look slides across his features. “I was hoping we could decide that together. How would you feel about moving in with me? I want to start somewhere new – make a home, just the two of us.”
A volcano of happiness erupts inside, and the corners of my mouth stretch in a wide grin. “I’d love that. I really would.”
Jeremy’s face lights up, and he lowers his lips to mine. I freeze for a second, almost afraid to move in case everything vanishes. Then I let myself fall into him, relishing his soft kiss.
He touches my cheek. “Come on. Let’s get this new beginning started.”
Hand in hand, we wander down the hill and into the city, the sun bright in the sky behind us.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Back at Jeremy’s, our new beginning kicks off with a vengeance. I’d love to share details, but some things are better left to the imagination – although Mom maintains when it comes to lovemaking, there’s no reason for embarrassment. I’ll just say distance does make the heart grow fonder . . . among other things.
Lying in a glorious post-sex daze, Jeremy wraps his arms around me and pulls me close.
“God, I missed you so much,” he murmurs, sliding a hand down my back.
I cuddle into him, and we both drift off to sleep as London throbs and buzzes outside. When I lift my lids a few hours later, the sun is still high in the sky, and Jeremy’s clanking around downstairs, whistling. The scent of toast and coffee drifts towards me, and my tummy grumbles in response. It’s been ages since I consumed something non-Jaffa or wine-related.
I throw off the covers, pull on my jeans and sweater, then head to the bathroom, where I splash my cheeks with cold water. Despite the lack of sleep, my eyes are bright and my face glows. After tidying my hair as best I can, I pad down the stairs to the kitchen. Pausing in the doorway, my heart fills up when I spot Jeremy at the stove, expertly flipping an omelette.
As I stand there, images of our future pop into my mind. Building our own place, shaping it to fit just so. Days like this, rolling out of bed and enjoying each other’s company. And growing even more solid as the walls of our relationship strengthen, with the knowledge there’s nothing between us. A rainbow of happiness bursts inside, and I’m so full of joy I almost do a jig like a leprechaun who’s found the pot of gold.
“That smells good,” I say, pushing back from the wall and crossing the room.
“You’re up!” Jeremy spins to face me. “Hope you’re hungry?”
“Starving.” And it’s not just my stomach that’s ravenous. I’m hungry for our life ahead.
My tummy lets out a giant rumble, and Jeremy grins.
“I can hear that!” He plates up the omelettes, butters some toast, and places two heaving dishes on the table.
We’re silent for a minute as we tuck into the food, and then Jeremy glances over.
“Karen told me what a star you were with the fundraising strategy,” he says, “and how you even managed to recruit a volunteer. How do you feel about helping us with fundraising for the next little while to get our plan underway? I know you’re going to be busy at work, but I don’t think it’ll take too much doing. I could use you on board.”
I stare into Jeremy’s hopeful face, turning his words over in my mind.
“I’d love to,” I say, meaning it with every fibre. Already, ideas are flooding my head. Tomorrow, I can try ringing the street-trading team again. And then—
“Brilliant! Now come on, finish your plate. You’ll need all your energy for what I’m about to do to you.” He raises his eyebrows suggestively, and I grin back as desire rises inside.
“Forget the food,” I say as I drag him away from the table and up the stairs. “We’ve got a future to start building. We should make sure we’re in synch, don’t you think?”
Jeremy laughs, allowing himself to be tugged into the bedroom. “The sooner, the better,” he says, sinking onto the fluffy duvet.
I fall on top of him, relishing the heat of his body beneath me. No more secrets; no more deception. Whatever happ
ens, we’ll face our future head-on – together.
I can’t wait to see what it brings.
THE END
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Thank you!
Coming in 2013:
Serenity Holland, Book Three
Marriage To Measure
COMING IN AUTUMN 2012
The Pollyanna Plan
Is finding true love as easy as an attitude change?
Thirty-something Emma Beckett has always looked down on 'the glass is half full' optimists, believing it's better to be realistic than delusional. But when she loses her high-powered job and fiancé in the same week, even Emma has difficulty keeping calm and carrying on. With her world spinning out of control and bolstered by a challenge from her best friend, Emma makes a radical decision. For the next year, she'll behave like Pollyanna: attempting to always see the upside, no matter how dire the situation.
Can adopting a positive attitude give Emma the courage to build a new life, or is finding the good in everything a very bad idea?
Join Talli’s mailing list to keep updated on future releases (and read about contests, chocolate and wine!).
ALSO BY TALLI ROLAND
Build A Man
Slave to the rich and the rude, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she's a high-flying tabloid reporter. When she meets Jeremy Ritchie -- the hang-dog man determined to be Britain's Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in between – Serenity knows she's got a story no editor could resist. With London's biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy's progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success. But when Jeremy's surgery goes drastically wrong and she's ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, Serenity must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.
Build A Man is fast-paced, well-written chick lit that I can't recommend highly enough.
The Book Chick
The Hating Game
When Mattie Johns agrees to star on a dating game show to save her ailing recruitment business, she's confident she'll sail through to the end without letting down the perma-guard she's perfected from years of her love 'em and leave 'em dating strategy.After all, what can go wrong with dating a few losers and hanging out long enough to pick up a juicy £200,000 prize? Plenty, Mattie discovers, when it's revealed that the contestants are four of her very unhappy exes. Can Mattie confront her past to get the prize money she so desperately needs, or will her exes finally wreak their long-awaited revenge? And what about the ambitious TV producer whose career depends on stopping her from making it to the end?
I thought The Hating Game was incredibly well written . . . I really found myself blown away with Talli’s debut novel. She’s a fantastic story-teller and I really can’t wait to see what’s next from Talli. She could become a huge Chick Lit star, there’s no denying it.
Chick Lit Reviews
Watching Willow Watts
For Willow Watts, life has settled into a predictably dull routine: days behind the counter at her father's antique shop and nights watching TV, as the pension-aged residents of Britain's Ugliest Village bed down for yet another early night. But everything changes when a YouTube video of Willow's epically embarrassing Marilyn Monroe impersonation gets millions of hits after a viewer spots Marilyn's ghostly image in a frame.Instantly, Willow's town is overrun with fans flocking to see the 'new Marilyn'. Egged on by the villagers – whose shops and businesses are cashing in – Willow embraces her new identity, dying her hair platinum and ramming herself full of cakes to achieve Marilyn's legendary curves. But when a former flame returns seeking the old Willow, Willow must decide: can she risk her stardom and her village's newfound fortune on love, or is being Marilyn her ticket to happiness?
Watching Willow Watts is made up of a bevy of fun and interesting characters, which made this book interesting to read throughout. Light-hearted, humorous, and a sweet happy ending made me a happy reader!
Chick Lit Plus
AVAILABLE NOW AS E-BOOKS AND PAPERBACKS.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Talli Roland writes fun, romantic fiction. Born and raised in Canada, Talli now lives in London, where she savours the great cultural life (coffee and wine).
Despite training as a journalist, Talli soon found she preferred making up her own stories – complete with happy endings. Talli's debut novel The Hating Game was short-listed for Best Romantic Read at the UK's Festival of Romance, while her second, Watching Willow Watts, was selected as an Amazon Customer Favourite. Her novels have also been chosen as top books of the year by industry review websites and have been bestsellers in Britain and the United States.
To learn more Talli, go to her website, follow her on Twitter, or check out her blog. She loves hearing from readers! Feel free to get in touch: [email protected].
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