Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
‘ L ook at me, Fleur.’ Matty’s voice was firm as he repeated himself.
Slowly she focused on him and met his gaze, but instead of the disappointment she’d expected to be met with, his eyes were only full of warmth, of concern. She whispered, ‘I’m sorry.’
‘I don’t need your apology and I don’t need an explanation from you either.’
‘You don’t?’
‘No, that’s not why I asked you on this walk. That’s not the reason I’ve been trying to talk to you ever since I arrived back in Nettleford either.’
‘It’s not?’ She frowned. Then why? Why did he want to speak to her? What could she possibly offer him?
‘I just wanted to clear the air. I just wanted to make sure that things are okay between us and you don’t mind me moving back.’ Letting go of her elbows, he bent down again and picked up his coffee. ‘I don’t want my return to make you feel awkward. If it does, then I’ll leave.’
‘You’ll leave?’ She felt like a parrot, but she was too stunned to form proper sentences. She shook her head. ‘Are you saying that, what? You’ll just up and leave if I ask you to?’
Matty nodded slowly. ‘That’s exactly what I’m saying. Of course I’d rather not leave. I’d rather be here but I will if it makes things easier for you.’
Fleur turned and sank down to the floor and perched on the kerb, all energy suddenly escaping her. ‘Why? Why are you back? Why can’t you just go and rent somewhere instead of moving in with your parents?’
‘You want me gone, then?’ Matty sat down next to her, his long legs reaching out in front of him.
She shook her head. ‘I didn’t say that. I just meant, like, why are you here?’
Matty carefully took the lid off his coffee cup and gently turned the cup, watching the liquid inside swell against the edges. ‘My relationship broke down and I lost my job.’
‘Oh.’ Fleur gasped. ‘I’m sorry to hear about your separation.’
Matty gave a small, solemn smile. ‘Don’t be. It’s for the best. I caught her cheating on me.’
‘She cheated on you?’ How could anyone do that? And to Matty, of all people? He was the best. He’d have been the perfect partner, loyal, loving, kind, everything. How could she? She clenched her jaw. How could anyone cheat on him and break his heart? Leaning her chin on her chest, she focused on the tarmac at her feet. She was the last person on earth who had any right to be judgemental on the front of hurting the sweet man sitting beside her.
‘Yep. And I lost my job because I worked for her dad. Hence wearing these suits.’ He tugged on the sleeve of his jacket. ‘Another day, another failed interview.’
She looked across at him. ‘You’ll get something. Anybody would be lucky to employ someone like you.’
He smiled a quick short smile, one which reached his eyes this time. ‘I wish you’d tell them that.’
‘Ha, well, I guess I could try.’
Leaning over, he nudged her. ‘Cheers.’
‘I am sorry to hear about all you’re going through. I really am.’
‘Does that mean I can stay in Nettleford, then?’ His eyes met hers.
‘Well, I can’t really dictate where you live.’ Pulling her thumb towards her lips, she tugged on the cuticle with her teeth.
‘I’ll take that as a yes. Even if I only stay to get you out of that habit.’ Placing his hand over hers, he gently pulled her thumb away from her mouth and held it in his grasp.
She shrugged and tried to keep as still as she possibly could as she answered, not daring to move a muscle in case it meant he took his hand away. ‘I had. I stopped at new year. And then...’
‘And then I turned up?’
She nodded.
‘Then I’ll take it as my responsibility for helping you stop again then.’
She smiled as she looked down at their hands, his skin warming hers, the familiar tingle of electricity sparking between them. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if he did stick around. Maybe they’d even be able to become friends.Eventually.
‘I know why you did it.’ His voice was soft now, almost too quiet to hear.
She nodded. Maybe he’d always known. Heck, he’d probably worked it out long before she had.
‘And you are worthy, you know. You’re worthy of love and I would have loved you with everything I had.’ He squeezed her hand.
She blinked. She couldn’t stop the tears now as they streamed down her cheeks. She knew he would have. She knew he would have loved her, but back then...’I just wasn’t brave enough to take that chance.’
‘I know.’ He nodded slowly. ‘But I hope now you know you’re worthy of anything you could possibly want. I hope you know that you’re enough. You’re more than enough. You always were.’
‘I’ve never been enough.’ She shook her head.
‘Oh, Fleur, the only person who thinksthat is you.’ Shufflingalongthe kerb so hisshoulderwastouchinghers, hewrapped his arm around her, drawing her close. ‘Please believe me.’
She leaned her head against his suited shoulder and closed her eyes. She was so tired, exhausted, that she could almost just fall asleep right here, sitting on the kerb. As long as he was next to her, holding her, she could probably sleep anywhere.
‘I’ve missed this.’
Lifting her head up, Fleur looked at him. ‘You have?’
‘Of course I have.’ He chuckled softly as he removed his arm from around her and used the pads of his thumbs to wipe her cheeks before hugging her again.
Leaning her cheek back against his shoulder, she smiled. She’d missed it, too. She’d missed him.