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A couple of clicks on the line, and then Leo’s voice. ‘Alex?’
She closed her eyes, wishing that she could see him. ‘Leo... Leo, are we on the radio?’
‘No. It’s just you and me.’ Alex jumped as her doorbell rang. ‘Is that your bell?’
‘Yes, forget it. They’ll go away. Leo...’
‘I don’t think so.’ The bell rang a second time.
‘Is that you?’
‘Yes. I was hoping you might let me in...’
Alex ran to the intercom, slamming her hand onto the door release.
He was coming up. She tugged at the long cardigan she was wearing, pulling it straight, and looked in the hall mirror, pulling her hair out of its ponytail and shaking her head so that it fell around her shoulders. Then her panic subsided. Leo loved her. He’d always taken her just the way she was.
There was a quiet rap on the door and she flung it open. Leo.
He looked amazing. Dinner jacket, bow tie, white shirt. Beautiful, beautiful blue eyes.
‘Leo...’ She hardly dared breathe. Didn’t dare touch him in case this was a dream and he’d suddenly evaporate.
‘May I come in?’
She stepped back from the door and he walked into the hallway. ‘You heard what I said on the radio? Can you believe me?’
‘Yes. You always tell the truth on the radio.’
‘I hoped you’d know that.’ He seemed suddenly nervous, that easy charm stripped away from him. ‘Will you hear me out, Alexandra?’
She swallowed hard. He’d unnecessarily and quite deliciously taken the time to use all four syllables of her name. ‘Always.’
‘I’ve done a lot of thinking, and a lot of talking. I’m letting go of the past and that’s allowed me to take hold of the present.’
‘Live for the moment?’
‘I’m living for this moment, right now.’
She could feel it, see it in his eyes. The way she had when they’d made love.
‘What you did...that hour on the radio, talking about Joel. It was amazing, Leo. It must have been so hard for you.’
‘It wasn’t as hard as losing you.’ He reached out, taking her hand. ‘I love you, and I know we can make this work. Will you take me back?’
Her heart thumped in her chest. But everything was suddenly crystal-clear. Alex cradled his hand between hers, raising it to her lips. ‘I should never have left you, Leo. I should have believed in you—you always believed in me, and you took me just the way I am...’
‘You did believe in me. You never could accept the way I used to be because you knew I could be a better man. That’s how I came to believe it too.’
‘I love you, Leo. I won’t ever let you go again, I promise.’
He let out a sigh, as if finally he could start breathing again. They both could. ‘Forever is a long time.’
‘We’re going to need it. We have a lot to do together.’
Suddenly he grinned. Leo fell to one knee in front of her, taking the red rose from his lapel and putting it into her hands. ‘I love you, Alex. And I won’t let you down.’
‘What are you doing? Leo...’ She felt suddenly breathless with joy.
