Page 62 of Unwritten Rules

Even when she’s just created and birthed a tiny human, she’s still thinking of ways she can take care of everyone else.

I nod and move back to allow the girls to say goodbye to Henry and the boys, looking everywhere but at Nate, whose eyes are searing into me, begging me to meet their gaze with my own.

I know he wants to be the one to see me home, but I can’t have that. I don’t know what I want to say to him yet.

I want to live with this tiny sliver of hope that just won’t die for just one more night.

And so, I stand firm, instead turning and heading for the car before the girls have finished.

The trip back to the city is full of this couple’s usual banter, and by the time we’ve pulled up outside of my apartment, I have a stitch in my side from laughing at their antics.

“I’m telling you, girl…” Jo spins in her seat as Nola parks the car right outside the double doors to my building. “When you’re back in the city over the summer, we are hitting Geronimo’s with Liv like the old days—”

“You mean like last year, no baby?” Nola deadpans her lover as I try to contain an unladylike snort of laughter.

“Oh, girls, I really needed the catch-up. We’ll have a proper one soon, I promise.” I open the car door and slide out before sticking my head back inside to grab my backpack. “See you tomorrow, ladies.”

As I slam the door to the sound of their farewell, a shiver runs up my spine disconcertingly.

I really didn’t want to be back here right now. Alone, especially, but here we are. If I’d asked Nate to come with me, he would have in a heartbeat, but leaving him at Henry’s will tell him more surely than words that I get the message he’s sending.

Not going to happen. Roger that, sir! I hear you loud and clear.

Briggs, the doorman, nods at me as I enter the lobby and gather my mail from the post-box by reception before I take the elevator to my penthouse apartment.

Chelsea is a beautiful area, particularly at this time of year, and I find myself excited to just sit outside in my rooftop garden and soak up the sounds of the city below me.

My apartment is just as I left it, albeit slightly dustier. Making a mental note to ask reception to send a cleaner when I return to Surrey, I quickly flip through the letters in my hand once I have dropped my bag onto the kitchen island countertop.

One letter, sporting a familiar scrawl, draws my eye, and I quickly rip it open.

My heart is beating so loudly it’s the only sound I can hear as the rapid thump, thump, thump resonates in my ears.

Mila,

My lady love tells me that you’ve dropped out of Bexley-Horton and left London for greener pastures.

Such a pity. I was so hoping for a repeat performance. The vision of you spread-eagled beneath me, that star-shaped birthmark on your inner thigh glistening with your arousal – it’s embedded in my memory for all time.

In the interim, I’ll just make do with a second-rate version. Or perhaps my own hand and the sweet memory of your warm cunt.

Your secret shame is safe with me so long as you keep your mouth shut.

See you soon, my little Star.

My stomach churns at the memory of that hated nickname, and my forehead beads with sweat. My chest burns like I’ve run a marathon.

I think I might just faint.

I’m going to faint. I’m sure of it.

The room is spinning, and suddenly – there’s a buzz over the intercom, yanking me from my downward spiral. I stumble toward the monitor, terrified he’s already discovered I’ve returned.

The sight that greets me sets my mind whirling, and I don’t know whether to be angry or joyous when Nathaniel’s form fills my screen.

CHAPTER 19

MILA