“Thank you,” she says on a sigh. “For listening, for making me laugh.”
Little does she know, I really do know a man, and damn, I would do that shit for free just to stop her hurting.
I place my arm around her shoulders. “I’m here, it doesn’t matter what time of day or night it is, I’ll drop it all. Although you do still owe me a coffee.”
She looks up at me, smirking. “You thought I’d forgotten, didn’t you?”
She laughs. “Of course not.”
“You working tomorrow?” She shakes her head. “Right, I’ll pick you up at twelve.”
We stay sat on the side of the road for a little longer before I give her a ride back home.
There’s a little twinkle in her eye as I drop her back at her place, and I promise myself I want more moments like that for her. She deserves more than what her ex gave her, and I’ll be damned if I let her out of my sight now. It’s his loss, because one day soon, she’ll be mine.
Chapter Five
Bella
I can’t even begin to explain what made me reach out to Clay last night. I was stood on the bridge for the second time in recent weeks, contemplating my life.
I’d felt so inferior yesterday when Imogen arrived at my workplace with my own children.
No one at work knows about my current situation, and I’m sure she secretly knew that I wouldn’t divulge my personal life to everyone. Knowing how conniving the bitch could be, I knew she was trying to provoke a reaction from me so that she could run back to Liam and say I was harassing her. Liam had chosen to believe everything she had told him, even before I’d met the bitch.
As I stood there watching the cars pass below me, I’d remembered what Lizzy had said to me, I needed to find a new normal. I couldn’t let Imogen and Liam rule my life any longer, they may have my children, but I had to fight to live. I needed towork at getting my kids back, showing them that I would stop at nothing to see them again.
Clay was the first person in months to reach me when I was at my lowest point, so I knew deep down that he would understand. That he wouldn’t judge me. Don’t ask me how I knew. I have no idea and let’s face it, when it comes to men, I’m clearly not the best judge of character. However, that night, he dragged my tired body over the side of the bridge I knew. I knew that he was the most genuine soul I had ever met in my life, including my family. He didn’t have to stop and save me, and he certainly didn’t have to chase me down to make sure I was okay.
I look at myself in the mirror, and it seems like the first time in forever I’ve truly looked. Of course, I’ve got up most mornings and pasted my make-up on, but today I see myself.
I straighten my shoulders. “I’ve got this,” I say to my reflection. “Today is going to be a new day, a fresh start.”
There’s a small knock at my door. He’s on time for our coffee date and it makes me smile. I take a quick glance around my room, realising how much of a pigsty it is. Felicity was right—I really did need to get my shit together.
There was no way I could invite Clay in here.
“One minute,” I shout, grabbing my handbag and keys off the kitchen counter. I slip through the narrowest gap in the door, hoping to hide the chaos behind it, and find Clay leaning against the wall opposite. One boot braced behind him, phone in hand, he glances up and smiles, his sharp jawline catching the light. As he pushes off the wall, the movement is effortless, practiced. He looks like he’s stepped straight out of one of those glossy biker magazines.
“What’s my beauty hiding?” he jokes as I lock the door quickly.
I wiggle my eyebrows. “Now, that would be telling. You don’t get to see my bed on the first date.” I wink, and he grins from ear to ear.
“Oh, so this is a date?”
“Er . . . I . . . erm,” I stutter suddenly, losing all confidence.
He grabs my hand, and I feel an automatic connection. “Belle, I’m joking. Relax.” I let out a nervous laugh.Fuck,Bella, what the hell are you doing?
He lifts me by the waist, his large hands delicately grabbing my hips, placing me on the pillion. The same sensation runs through my core as it did moments ago from him simply holding my hand. I let out a shriek, and his grin widens.
“Well, at least I know where your soft spot is,” he laughs, that playfulness in his eyes automatically putting me at ease. He places a helmet over my head, knocking down the visor before placing his own on.
“Safety first,” he says, it makes me jump as I hear him louder through the helmet. He lets out a gravelly laugh at my startle as he straddles the bike, kicking down the stand and pulling my hands around his waist.
“Hold tight.”
The engine roars to life, a sudden bubble of excitement courses through my veins, replacing any anxiety I had. The rumble of the engine vibrates through me, adding to the anticipation. I was so overwhelmed the other week that I didn’t truly get to enjoy the ride.
