Chapter 17
After the product launch, we settled into a routine.
Pippa barely went back to her flat—it helped that she loved mine.
And it turned out declaring my love gave her even more confidence in us.
She knows she’s loved, and not just by me. They know not to cross any lines, but Pippa’s the most loved person in our team.
“You nearly ready to go home?” I ask.
With a roll of her eyes, she tilts her head, giving me an affectionate look. “Home?”
“Yeah. It might not be where you pay rent or where most of your things are, but it’s where you sleep with me so it’s home.”
Her smile widens. “I like that idea.”
“It could be permanent, you know. You could move in with me.”
Pippa blinks rapidly. “You want me to move in?”
I reach for her hand. “I’d love you to move in.”
“Can I think about it?”
Lacing my fingers with hers, I study her expression. She’s always so open, but right now I can’t read her. “Of course you can. Is there something stopping you saying yes?”
She bites her bottom lip. “No, it’s just … this is all happening so fast. I’m not complaining because I love you, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to move in.”
Disappointment ripples through me, but I love her too much to push her. She just needs time and I need to keep on showing her how I feel.
“I spoke to Mum today. She asked if you were coming with me for Christmas.”
For a moment, I’m dumbfounded. It’s been twelve years since I’ve spent any time with Pippa’s family. They know why.
“I’m not sure?—”
Pippa’s stern look brings a smile to my face. There’s not a lot that can shake her happy-go-lucky mood, but clearly I’ve crossed a line.
“Deacon, Mum and Dad still think of you as their second son. You and Lucas grew up together. They’d love to see you whether you’re with me or not.”
Her brows knit, and I reach up and press my thumb in the gap between her eyes before she cracks and her beautiful smile emerges again.
“Stop it.” She laughs.
“I hate seeing you so serious.” I give her thigh a squeeze and take a deep breath. “I’ll follow you anywhere, Pippa. Let your mum know I’d love to spend Christmas with your family.”
She lets out a squeal before slamming her hand across her mouth. God, how I love this woman—so full of light and love.
I chuckle. “I’m happy that you’re happy.”
Her eyes sparkle with happiness. “You make me happy.”
I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight. I’d do anything for Pippa—even face the man who helped wreck my life.
It’s not going to be easy though.
* * *
“If you’re not moving in, then move some more of your things over here. Make this place your home away from home?”
Pippa stretches out her legs. We got back to my place an hour ago, had a quick stir-fry dinner, and we’re now snuggled up on the couch watching television.
It’s like we’re an old married couple already.
Married.
A thought starts to form in my brain about Christmas and presents for Pippa and it makes me smile.
“Could do, I guess,” she says.
“So, I just realised that if your mother asked about me coming for Christmas, that means you told them about us.” I hadn’t pushed Pippa to tell her family—I knew she’d do it in her own time, but I was also aware she might not want to yet. Not with things the way they were between me and Lucas.
She turns her head toward me, her lower lip between her teeth. It’s not fair she does that. I makes me want to suck that lower lip into my mouth and kiss the hell out of her, it’s so cute.
“Did you not want me to do that?”
I shrug. “They’re your family. Tell them what you want. Are you okay though? How did they take it?”
Her smile tells a story all of its own. “Mum and Dad are really happy. They were always sad they didn’t hear from you, but they understood. Even Lucas was fine.”
I swallow hard. “What did he say?”
“He just wants me to be happy.” She licks her lips, and it’s so distracting. “He also wasn’t that surprised. Even back then he knew I had a crush on you. At one point he threatened to tell you about it, although he apologised for that a long time ago.”
I frown. “When was that?”
“About the same time he got caught … He was a mess back then. I think the whole thing with your mum really screwed him up along with everyone else.”
Running my fingers through my hair, I lean back on the couch. “Can we change the subject? I’d rather not talk about her.”
Pippa nods. “Sure. But you can’t hide from it forever.”
“Whatever happened to Roger?” I know at some point we’ll end up talking out the whole thing with my mum, but right now I don’t want to. Roger was always Pippa’s cat. The Chapmans got him when she was five, and she’s twenty-four now, so there’s no way he’s still with us.
Pippa’s pained expression says everything. But I’ve gone there now and there’s no going back.
“He got sick when I was fifteen. His kidneys were failing, and …”
I take her hand in mine. “You don’t have to tell me.”
She shakes her head. “No, it’s okay. I was there when it happened. He was put to sleep because they couldn’t do anything, and he was miserable.”
“He lived a good life. That cat adored you.”
Tears well in her eyes. “There were times when he was my best friend. That year you left when Lucas was being an arse, I always had Roger.”
I smile and squeeze her hand.
“I was inconsolable, and Mum and Dad put a ban on any pets because I was such a mess. But back then I wouldn’t have wanted another animal. It was all too much.”
Cupping the back of her head, I pull her closer. “One day, I’ll make all your dreams come true, Pippa, and that includes having the house of your dreams and we’ll get a cat. Hell, we’ll get two cats. Whatever you want.”
She laughs softly. “I love you.”
I press a kiss to her forehead. If things hadn’t turned to shit, Lucas and I would have been there to support and comfort her—the way we always did when Pippa was sad. But then again, our relationship now might not have happened.
There’s no way to turn back the clock, and I used to think that maybe if I had that ability, I would have been able to change the way my family fell apart.
But now I’m glad because I’m in the best version of my life right now—with Pippa by my side.