“I didn’t do anything but love him,” I tell him.
Callum smiles. “Well, you gave him something that neither my mum nor I could provide. He does love you, that much is clear. He’s made it known each time we’ve spoken that he has no intentions of staying in London so I should find a replacement.”
My heart swells knowing he’s said this to his brother. It’s one thing when he tells me, because I know our hearts are aching for each other. However, the fact that he’s not afraid to let Callum know, makes me smile.
Callum continues, “I’m well aware that he’s only there because of our mum. If she wasn’t sick, he would’ve quit. Hell, he tried to already.”
“He did?”
“Yes, I wouldn’t let him, but he did. Because he is in love with you. Don’t doubt that.”
Callum’s right. Milo’s love is the one thing about this I’m completely clear about.
“We both love each other,” I say.
He sighs and then turns to his wife. “I know you’re angry with me, darling, but you weren’t Team Milo a year ago.”
She softens slightly. “That was before he fell in love.”
“I hate that you’re both struggling. I really do, and I want to offer something to you.” Callum clears his throat. “If you’re willing to hear me out?”
“Me?” I ask. “I’m not angry with you, Callum. I’m truly not. I understand because the truth is that he’s there to care for your mom. I can’t be angry about that.”
“I appreciate that,” he says. “Here’s my offer, if you want to go to London, you can have any position in the company you want. Hell, I’ll make one for you. I’ll cover all your expenses to move and whatever else you need. If you want Parker and Ava in private school, I’ll cover it. If you want a new home, we’ll handle it. I promise, separating you both wasn’t something I enjoyed doing, and if it’s money holding you apart . . . that’s not the case now. I want my brother to have the life he deserves, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to give him all that he cares about . . . you.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Danielle
“Flight attendants, prepare for landing.”
I’m doing this. I’m really doing this.
I’m going to be landing in London in a few minutes and I’m going to get my man.
After my talk with Nicole and Callum, I couldn’t stop thinking about what they said. I was choosing to let him go. He didn’t have the options, and as much as I didn’t think I did, I do.
So, I arranged for Parker and Ava to stay with Heather, and I’m here.
The plane lands I turn my phone on. Immediately, it starts pinging.
* * *
Ava: I can’t wait to hear what happens.
* * *
Ava: Did you land?
* * *
Ava: Were you too cheap to buy the wifi on the plane?
* * *
I roll my eyes and fire her back a message.
* * *
Me: I’m fine. Just landed. No reason to buy wifi when you’re going to sleep through it. I’m not cheap, I’m smart. You’re still sure about this? You really want to move?
* * *
She’s probably asleep but she was the one that packed my bag and practically threw me out the door. My kids were both very excited about moving to London. Ava wants a fresh start and Parker wants to have an accent like Milo.
I was sure they’d pitch a fit, but they didn’t.
So, I got on a plane.
* * *
Ava: I’m sure, Mom.
* * *
Me: Okay. I love you.
* * *
Ava: Whatever.
* * *
There’s my girl.
Another series of text messages come through.
* * *
Milo: I’ve called and gone straight to voicemail. Are you okay?
* * *
Milo: Where are you? I’ve been calling for two days. Please, I need to hear your voice.
* * *
Little does he know he’ll be seeing me soon.
* * *
Me: We’ll talk soon. I promise. Where are you now?
* * *
Milo: I’m at my house.
* * *
Thank God. I asked Callum to send me all the info on what to ask for and how to get to his house. My nerves are frayed, but the excitement is immense.
I grab my bag from the luggage carousel and get through immigration. Then as I exit the terminal I see a driver with my name.
“Hi, are you Ms. Danielle Bergen?” he asks in his British accent.
“I am, I didn’t know I had a car.”
He smiles. “I was Mr. Huxley’s personal driver, and he set up everything for you.”
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure. I’m William, by the way.”
“It’s nice to meet you, William.”
We walk to the car, and he sits me in the back. William informs me that it’ll take about forty-five minutes before we get there. I left Tampa at nine at night, and it’s ten in the morning. My body is totally off kilter.
William points out some historical buildings on the ride, tells me about London, but all I care about is seeing Milo.
* * *
Me: When are you going to see your mom?
* * *
Milo: In an hour or so. Can you stop teasing me and let me see your eyes?
* * *
Me: Pushy.
* * *
I smile because in about ten minutes, I plan to let him see much more than that.
Then he sends another text.
* * *
Milo: Why in the bloody hell are you awake, my love?
* * *
Shit. The time difference.
* * *
Me: Couldn’t sleep.
* * *
It’s not a lie. Right now, my nerves are on overdrive. It’s not like it’s been that long since we’ve seen each other, but the closer we get, the more my heart begins to race. There’s a chance he could reject me. Not that it’s likely, but still. Three weeks is enough time for things to change.
It hasn’t for me, but Milo has never really dealt with this. He’s been alone his entire adult life, and then we fell in love only to be split apart.
“Here we are, Miss.” William exits the car and my hands are trembling.
I step out of the car and look at the townhouse. It’s beautiful and I haven’t even stepped inside.
“This is the house?” I ask.
“Yes, ma’am, Mr. Huxley lives in the end house,” William explains.
Okay. I came all this way to tell him how I feel. To give him my heart and see if this is what he wants.
I make my way to the steps and then turn. “William, will you wait . . . just in case?”
He nods.
I have an exit strategy at least. If Milo isn’t ready for this step, then I’ll go home, cry myself to sleep, and move on. That’s the worst that can happen.
Another step closer and the door is right here. I just need to ring the bell.
I press the inconspicuous little button, my heart pounding against my chest.
The door opens, and it’s as if time stands still.
Milo is wearing a pair of black slacks, and no shirt. His hair is wet from a shower, and I can smell his clean scent.
“Danielle?” his deep voice is filled with confusion.
“I said I’d let you see me soon.” I smile, waiting for some kind of a reaction.
He steps closer, lifting his hand ever so slowly as if I’m an apparition and once we touch, I’ll disappear.
“Are you really here?”
I touch my fingers to his face. “I am.”
His lips lift, then his arm wraps around me and he pulls me to his body. Milo’s mouth is on mine a second later, and I feel the pressure in my chest release since his absence.
He lifts me into his arms and walks over the threshold. I smile and turn to
William. “You don’t have to wait.
“Enjoy your time in London, Ms. Bergen.”
Milo chuckles. “Oh, she fucking will!”
He kicks the door shut with his foot and he reminds me just how good of a time we have together.
“How long are you here for?” Milo asks as we lie tangled in the sheets.
The last two hours have been great. We’ve been together, happy, and kept things light. Really, we’ve barely talked other than a few words here and there.
Now, I guess we should get to it.
I sit up, pulling my knees to my chest. “That’s up to you.”
“I’m not following you.”
I chew on my bottom lip, trying to think of how to say this without pretty much inserting myself in his life. Do I blurt it out? Do I work my way up? I’m not sure because Milo and I are still kind of new.
Fuck it. I’m here. I might as well figure my shit out.
“I quit my job,” I say and then wait.
“You what?”
“I no longer work at Dovetail in the United States.”
Milo runs his hand down his face. “Did you get another job?”
“Well, I was offered another position,” I explain.
I see the anger starting to fill his eyes. “My fucking brother fired you?”
“No,” I clarify. “Remember, I quit. Your brother didn’t do anything.”
He gets out of the bed and starts to walk around the room. “You’re defending that prick? Seriously? He sends my arse over here because his life is too bloody perfect to move here, and now you’re on his side?”
So, I’m doing really well here . . .
I need to stop beating around the bush, then.
“Please sit.”
“No, I will not sit down,” Milo bellows.
“Milo, I flew all the way here to have this discussion with you. I’m exhausted, missed you more than you’ll ever know, quit my job, called a realtor to list my house, and asked my kids if they’d like to move to England, so . . . sit the hell down.”
His eyes widen, and he stops moving. “You want to move here?”
“Not really, but it’s where you are.”
He grins. “You want to be here? With me?”
Is he listening to anything I’m saying?
“I want to be with you. If you’re in London, then that’s where I need to be. That is, if you want me to be.”
Milo sits beside me. His hands hold my face. “If I want you to be? Are you blind? I promised you that I’d be back because this is fucking torture. I want you beside me. No, that’s a lie. I need you beside me. All I think about is finding a bloody nurse to live with my mum so I can get on a plane.”
“Well, it’s torture for me too, and . . . there’s no reason I can’t live here. Each time I found an excuse, it could be negated.”
“You’re telling me you want to move here?”
I nod. “I’m telling you I want you more than anything else.”
His smile grows wider. “And the kids?”
“Ava is already practicing her accent and Parker just wants to be close to you.”
“And your job?”
“Irrelevant in comparison. I know this is fast, and maybe you’re not ready for me and my kids to move here—”
“Marry me,” Milo cuts me off.
Now it’s my turn to be stunned. I stare at him, waiting for the punch line. There’s no way he just said that. He can’t be serious.
I open my mouth to speak, but his hand covers it before I can reply.
“No, hear me out. I love you. I’ve spent more time away from you than I ever will again. I would sacrifice everything for you, give up anything if it meant I could have you. Nothing else in this world matters. So, I know you wanted slow, but I don’t. I want it all. I don’t want to spend another day without the world knowing that I love you. If it’s too fast, we can have a long engagement. I’ve spent my entire life looking for someone who would make me feel this way, and here you are, my darling. You’re here and I’m right in front of you, asking you to see what’s inside of my heart.” He takes my hand, bringing it to his chest. Milo’s heart is pounding as tears are falling down my face. “I want to marry you, Danielle. I want you to be my wife, and I your husband. So, Danielle Joanne Bergen, will you marry me?”
Through blurry vision I look at this man I love. He didn’t hesitate a second. Everything he said was everything I could’ve asked for. Yes, it’s fast, but we’re not getting any younger. I married a man once who didn’t make me feel the way Milo does, and I was happy, but Milo makes my world brighter than it’s ever been. He tore down the old ideas of what love looked like and painted me something breathtaking.
I flew here to find a way for us to be together, and here it is.
“Yes,” I breathe.
“Yes?”
I nod. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He practically tackles me, pulling me in his arms, holding me close. The smile on his face takes my breath away. There’s no fear in his eyes, only love and happiness.
After a lot of kissing and smiling, he pulls me to his chest and we just stare at each other.
“I’ll get you a proper ring today.”
“I don’t need a ring.”
“Well, that’s very sweet of you, but I need you to have a ring.”
I shake my head. “Why?”
“So the world knows that you’re most definitely not on the market.”
Men.
They’re all the same.
“Is this an acquisition?”
He raises one brow. “You are not property, but I do wish to acquire you.”
He’s such a dork. “I’m pretty sure you have—many times.”
“Yes, and each time has been better than the last.”
This is true. “Well, there will be lots more going forward,” I say.
Milo taps my nose. “I’m very happy, are you?”
“You make me happy. I thought after Peter died, that I wouldn’t be able to open myself up again.” I sit up, wanting to be sure he hears this. “I thought we all get one great shot at love, and that was it. When you came into my life, I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t guarded enough to not fall for you, and now I’ve never been happier about anything in my whole life. If I was, we never would be here.”
He smirks. “That’s what you think. I would’ve worn you down, broke through every defense you had, and made you mine.”
“You would, huh?”
I wonder if Milo and I met at another time, if that would be the case. Life is all about moments, and one decision can alter a major chain of events. Had I never taken the job, Milo wouldn’t have been my assistant. The entire course of our relationship would’ve changed. Maybe we still would’ve fallen in love, but who knows?
“The moment we met, something inside of me was altered. I didn’t know what it was until later on, but you and I were going to happen. When I thought you were still married, I remember feeling an instant hatred for a man I never knew. I didn’t understand that feeling because it was foreign to me, but it was there.”
“You hated Peter?”
“No,” he sighs, “I hated whoever the bastard was that was near you. Not him, but the idea of him.”
I smile and touch his cheek. “That’s sweet.”
“If I told you I was married, would you have felt that way?”
“Not in the beginning,” I tell him honestly. “I was a mess when we met. It wasn’t until I saw you with Kandi the hooker and wanted to gouge her eyes out to make her stop looking at you.”
Milo runs his hand from my neck down my arm. “I never would’ve touched her. You know why?”
“Why?”
“Because you were the only thing I wanted that night.”
Looking at him now, there’s one thing I do believe about us. We were meant to cross each other’s paths. Whatever the circumstances, the outcome would’ve been the same. I was always going to fall in love with Milo.
“So you really want to marry me?” I ask again.
“My favorite color was always orange. Do you know what it is now?”
I shake my head.
“Blue, like your eyes. There’s nothing more beautiful in the world than this color,” he says as he touches the skin around my eye. “Blonde was always what I thought I was attracted to, until I saw you. Then I realized no woman on earth could compare to you. I don’t really want to marry you, Danielle. I’m really going to marry you. Now, let’s get dressed, go see my Mum, tell her the good news and get you moved here.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. “I love you.”
“And I love you. Now get up and get dressed before we’re even later and I have to tell Mummy that I was too busy to get there on time because I was fucking my fiancé.”
Oh, God, I have to meet his mother. If she’s anything like Nicole says, I’m in trouble.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Milo
“I’m glad you made it,” Mum says as I walk in. “Oh, you brought someone.”
If I Only Knew Page 22
