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She laughed delightedly. “Oh, I don’t think you’ll have to do much forcing, Simon.”
I wasn’t convinced. Addie left London and me for her career. I decided if she needed to stay in New York, I would figure out a way to stay here with her. The Royal Albert Hall project was just getting started, but I would find a way to make my home where she was.
Mercy and I had a brief but meaningful conversation about what she did and why. I know she thought she was being helpful. I know she thought Addie was a dishonest woman. I know watching her deception unravel the way it did created memories of what I had been through with my mother. She thought she was protecting me.
She expressed her deep regret and apologized. I have forgiven her, but I am not sure how she will fit into the life I plan to build with Addie.
I took a week off to come here and just arrived this afternoon. I made myself wait for Addie to leave her building. I didn’t want to walk in on her working and I needed time to make myself calm down. I wasn’t sure what to expect when she sees me.
I watched her walk out of the building, so beautiful and determined as she walked out into the cold night. It took every ounce of willpower I possessed to not walk over, take her in my arms and kiss her with every ounce of love, desperation, and anger I have felt over the last few weeks.
Now I am standing here with her in my arms, her back to my front, while she is laughing and crying at the same time.
I turn her around and I get my first, really good look at her face. She takes my breath away.
The streetlight illuminates her face in the dark. Her eyes are closed as she laughs with tears flowing down her cheeks, which are flushed and splotchy from the cold. Her nose is red and running. Her hair is mostly hidden by a red wool hat she has pulled over her head.
I pull her into me, desperate to feel her in my arms again. Through her wool coat I can feel her frame is smaller. She shaking with laughter and I pull her close again, tentatively at first, unsure of whether not she wants me to, and then with more certainty as she rests her forehead on the center of my chest.
We stand there, in front of the steps of the library for a few more minutes and let her try to finish what has now turned from laughter into sobbing. My heart breaks to hear her cry. I can’t imagine what kind of hell the last two weeks have been for her.
I let her sobs quiet to intermittent hiccups before I speak. “Addie, I am so sorry, baby. I am sorry you felt you couldn’t tell me. I am sorry you’ve been here by yourself.”
“Oh, Simon!” This comes out as a wail as she burrows herself deeper into my jacket.
“Addie, I want you to cry until you feel like you’re done. But when you’re finished, I want us to talk.”
“Simon…”
I wait for her to continue and when she doesn’t, I pull back so that I can pull her face into my palms and look at her. I look into those golden eyes—eyes which seem to hold the answer to every important question I’ll ever need to ask.
“Yes, baby?”
She searches my face and her eyes roam, like she is learning me all over again. Her gaze lands on my mouth and she bites on her lower lips as she stares at it.
I groan, I’ve missed this look. My head starts to move toward hers, eager to reunite our lips.
Her lips spread into a smile. “Oh, good. I was just going to ask…”
“Ask me what?” My lips hover over hers. I can feel her breath on mine as she speaks. “Why the hell you hadn’t kissed me yet.”
She steps up onto her toes and presses her lips to mine. They are cold but soft, and in a matter of seconds every single doubt I have had about whether this trip was a good idea disappears.
There is nothing but Addie and I.
I take control of the kiss and tilt her head so that I can open her mouth and take what I need from her. I haven’t kissed her in over two weeks and I am starving.
She apparently feels the same way because her arms wind around my neck and pull me into her as if she is trying to absorb me. I wish she could.
She pulls back a little to nibble at my lips and I drift kisses down her the side of her face, along her jaw and suck her earlobe into my mouth.
I press my forehead to hers and stand here with my eyes closed, feeling a sense of gratitude she received me this way.
“Simon, I’m cold.” Her voice, clear but quiet, breaks the moment.
This is so like Addie to be frank and droll at the same time. I feel relief flood me.
“We can go back to my hotel. It’s around the corner.” I suggest.
