‘Not true. You were a telesales exec when we got together.’
His attempt to lighten the mood didn’t work. ‘Deep down I’m still me. Are you saying my choice of job drove us apart?’
‘I’m saying I found it hard. I felt as though you and I were always on the back burner. Behind your family, behind your work. Remember our plans to go walking in the Lake District last year and how excited we were?’
‘I do. And I know you went to a lot of effort to arrange the surprise.’ They’d booked to go to a remote area and camp, walk all week and eat out at restaurants. Kyle had pushed the boundaries yet again, Connie was freaking out, and instead of the Lakes, Amelia had driven to Cornwall to sort it out. The thing was, as far as Amelia knew, all they’d sacrificed was a campsite booking they could revisit any time. Paul had been so angry. He’d actually booked a luxury cottage with a roll-top bath, a log burner, an idyllic hideaway where they could get away from it all, walk all day, cook together in the evenings and cosy up with each other and enjoy fine wines.
‘It wasn’t the only time either. You cancelled dinner on your birthday because of trouble at work and that time I’d arranged a room at the Shard no less. And you didn’t come to Christmas with my family, who were all excited to have you there, because Kyle had done a runner and you were scouring the streets of Cornwall.’
‘He’s –’
‘Family, I know.’ But his mood simmered. ‘I felt as though I always came second, that’s all. I started to resent all the plans that were cancelled because of your sister and your nephew.’
‘It didn’t happen that many times. Work took over occasionally, but no more than your work.’
‘But at least those trips were scheduled, I wasn’t dropping everything just like that.’
‘I suppose not.’
‘Do you get where I’m coming from?’
‘I guess so.’ He’d always been a good debater, able to convince people round to his point of view, and she kind of got it, but weren’t relationships supposed to be deeper than that? Surely he should’ve seen how pained she was to mess him around, how much she had going on, how difficult it was to be stuck between responsibilities for family and career and the man she loved?
‘I love that you give projects and family your all, I just wish that sometimes your all would come my way.’
She gripped his hand that was resting on his knee. ‘I didn’t realise how strongly you’d felt. You should’ve talked to me rather than ending it the way you did.’
‘I’m here now to do just that. Your text came a couple of days after the office Christmas party, which was a miserable affair if I’m honest. I didn’t have a date, most other people did, I ended up talking to the boss most of the night and went home early.’
He’d always loved having her at his side at work functions. ‘Sounds dire.’
‘It was, without you.’
She shivered again. ‘I should get dressed.’
‘I can help.’
He was looking at her like she was a Christmas present to unwrap and she really wanted her PJs now. Not seeing him for months had been agony, not hearing anything from him even worse, but seeing him now was disconcerting and she didn’t know quite what to make of it. She was out of her comfort zone, New York was making her confused, and at the forefront of her mind was Nathan’s company and the near-kiss.
‘I’m sorry I was such a dickhead.’ He took hold of her hand when she stood up and leaned his head against her towel-covered thigh as he remained seated on the sofa.
‘You were a dickhead.’ At least he still made her laugh, and seeing how sorry he was made her wonder if they really could try again.
‘I’m trying to see the bigger picture, the picture where you and I are together with a family of our own.’
His words had her frozen to the spot. He wanted a future with her, he had plans, he was talking about family when he’d never wanted to go down that road before.
‘If you’ll let me,’ he said, standing up, not letting go of her hand, their bodies pressed together, ‘I’ll make it up to you.’ Her heart was pounding against his chest as he spoke. ‘Show you how sorry I am. I want you in my life, in my house, at my side, Amelia.’
‘You never wanted to settle down and have a family.’ His breath against her neck was tantalising, made it difficult to think. ‘What’s changed?’
‘Like I said, I see the bigger picture. I don’t want to mess around anymore. I want you, Amelia.’
‘I don’t understand.’ His touch made her dizzy with confusion.
A smile crept across his face. ‘I wasn’t going to tell you yet, but there’s something else. I’ve been doing well, got promoted twice already, but now I’ve been offered a position in Edinburgh. It’s more money than I ever thought I’d earn, it’s the job of a lifetime. It’ll be a solid future for us.’
‘You’re taking the job?’
