ログインI don't say anything as I stand on the outskirts of Liam and Isla's dinner party. As much as I'm supposed to be here to socialize and have a good time with my friends, I really don't feel like I'm in the mood for any of this. I even tried to tell Liam that I wasn't going to come, but he shot the idea down. He wouldn't let me back out. He doesn't think it is such a big deal that things have gone wrong with me and Aria. He assumes it's just that she has a child, which puts me off.That isn't the case at all - not that I'm keen on raising another man's child - but my issue lies more in the way Aria treated me. The way she sees me actually. She didn't even stop to think that I might actually have feelings for her. It was just another one night stand for her. Just a "bit of fun". I wouldn't have arranged a date for a bit of fun with her. So, I remain on the outskirts, scowling with a drink in hand. If Liam wants me here, then fine, but it doesn't mean I'm going to join in t
I study the confused expression on his face. It's sweet in a way that I definitely wasn't expecting. "Are you sure you can't stay the night with me? I will make you something really nice for breakfast..."I hold his hands in mine, letting them hang loose for a moment. The temptation to simply fall into his arms and remain in bed with him all night long is almost overwhelming. If I didn't have my family waiting for me at home, I would do it, however unwise. I'm still torn: it's great to be with Stefano since we have had one of the best nights of my life. But I do know that I can't keep this up. It's going to be hard to go back and forth between Leo and Stefano. I won't be able to do it."I know, but I have to get home. I have people waiting for me...""People?" He cocks his head, curiously. "Like who?"My heart absolutely thunders against my ribcage. I can't keep it under control however hard I try. My breaths start coming sharp and ragged as I pre
Just as I'm about to give up and put all of this to bed at long last, the unexpected sight of Aria appearing before me stuns me to the core. She's here and looks amazing! She might be late and looks very nervous, but she's here, which is something. My God, I can't even be mad because she really melts my freakin' heart. Looking at her makes me go all strange inside."Hi," she says coyly as she joins me at the table. Her sweet pink cheeks temper my anger. "Sorry, I got caught up in something..."I nod slowly, acting like I understand even though I don't really. I'm not going to question her. I would much rather start tonight on a positive note. "Sure, it happens. I'm just glad you made it. I was starting to think I'd been stood up."She takes her seat and sips the wine I've already ordered. I remember how much she liked this one when we tried it at the vineyard. I can see she recognizes what I've done."Oh wow, this is my favorite." She's touched by
I can't do this. That's the only thought that keeps circling endlessly through my mind. It doesn't matter what anyone says to me, I cannot do this. I keep staring at my wild-eyed reflection in the mirror, barely recognizing the person looking back because she's so afraid, so unsure of what she's going to do.I agreed to this date and kinda wanted to go on it as well. I don't see why I shouldn't because Stefano and I always have a good time. I have never had a date like that with someone else. Even the last time I was here, we had the best time. A crazy good time. But it's different now, and I can't shake that off.I can't let go of the feeling that as unlikely as it is, Stefano really wants more from me. He suggested dating in a way I don't think he does as a rule. He has a reputation as a playboy for a reason, but it seems he's stepping out of his usual comfort zone and trying something new - with me. That's thrilling and terrifying all at once. With Leo in Italy,
I can't stop smiling. I know that isn't like me at all, but I really can't. Knowing that after all these years, Aria is finally in the same country as me, staying here for a long time as well. I could kiss the person who gave her a job because they've finally given me a shot.After two years, I haven't been able to shake her and let go of what happened at Liam and Isla's wedding... She said she wasn't up for dating, and I get that. We can't do the long distance thing in different countries, but all that has changed now. She's living here, at least for a while, and we need to make the most of it. All of this was meant to happen. I can't wait to explore what comes next for us."You're looking pretty pleased with yourself," Liam laughs as he joins me at the bar. "What's going on in that crazy mind of yours? You look like you have something planned...""I do, and I want to run through it with you, if you don't mind?"He nods and orders himself a drink, sipping on it before he speaks again
I blink at Robert a couple of times, not quite sure what I'm hearing. Just because this is what I've been working toward and hoping for doesn't make it any less shocking to be here in his office, with him telling me I'm headed off to Italy for a job.I've done it! Somehow, I've done it. That feels really exciting."Do you mean it?" I blink at him a couple of times, trying to process this as best as I can. "This is happening? I'm really going to work on the Italian project?""You've started a brand new phase for the company," Robert laughs. "I'm just as shocked as you are. This is something that will be positive for all of us."The tight knot in my chest loosens. I have been so nervous ever since I had that meeting in Italy. I thought it went well, and now it seems like my suspicions were correct. Everything is coming together in the best way possible. My career is definitely going in a new direction, which is something that didn't seem possible at one point. When I first found out tha
CHAPTER 43: The email arrived on a grey Tuesday morning, when the sky outside the kitchen window was the color of old pewter and Gracie was finally, blessedly, napping after a night of broken sleep that had left Keira feeling like a zombie wrapped in fog. She'd pumped, fed, changed, an
CHAPTER 31: London in spring couldn't make up its mind. One day you'd get cherry blossoms bursting like pink fireworks against an impossibly blue sky, and the next, hail would beat down on those new leaves like the city was punishing them for being optimistic. Keira got it, her insides
CHAPTER 34: The spare room had been Emma's overflow space, basically a dumping ground for outgrown toys, guest bedding, and the vague promise of "we'll do something with this eventually." Now, it was a construction zone. Cardboard boxes labeled Nursery sat stacked in the hallway like gu
CHAPTER 36: The heatwave broke with a violence that felt biblical. One moment, London was a slow-cooked mess of sweat and melting pavement; the next, the sky cracked open like a broken egg and unleashed a torrent. Rain didn't fall in drops, it came in sheets, a grey, roaring curtain tha







