Page 27 of The Jealous Girl

Ryan’s smile grew. ‘How about, as long as we want?’

My eyes widened. ‘Seriously? How could we even do that, though? Your family will expect you back at some point. Real life will always intervene eventually.’

‘What if we make this our real life?’

I shook my head. ‘What do you mean?’ Malta was an escape. Blissful. Wonderful. But temporary.

He stepped closer to me. ‘What if we make our own plans?’ he said. ‘For us. Not for our parents. Not for anyone else’s expectations. Just you and me.’

My heart pounded so loudly I could barely even hear the waves lapping at my feet.

‘What if we get married?’

My mouth opened and closed but no sound came out. He couldn’t really mean that.

Could he?

‘No one could separate us then. No one could expect us to just slot back into our old lives as though nothing’s changed. We could stay here. Together. You and me.’

He was choosing us.

Choosing me.

‘Really?’ I whispered breathlessly. ‘You really mean that?’ My voice faltered. It was everything I’d ever wanted. Someone who believed in me. Loved me. Wanted me.

But that wasn’t possible. Was it?

‘The idea of going back…’ His voice cracked. ‘To that life. Everything that’s waiting for me there.’ He grabbed my hands and pulled them close to his chest. ‘Giving this up. This place. You.’ He shook his head. ‘It’s terrifying.’

I clung to him, trying to stop my hands from shaking.

‘When I’m with you, it feels like I can finally be myself,’ Ryan said quietly.

I closed my eyes, letting his words sink in.

I felt that way too, with him.

He shifted and I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze. ‘Are you sure?’ I asked, my voice barely audible.

Ryan dropped to one knee. The waves splashed up against his shorts, but he didn’t even seem to notice.

‘Will you marry me, Kirsty?’

Tears welled in my eyes and I blinked them away.

The idea of it was crazy. Completely crazy.

We were too young. We’d only just finished university. We hadn’t talked about the future beyond graduation. It didn’t make sense to suddenly make a choice that would determine the rest of our lives.

And yet, somehow it made perfect sense.

Everything I’d ever wanted was right there in front of me.

‘Yes,’ I whispered.

11

NOW