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“Okay.”
“I want the bookshop to be a success.” I feel the now-familiar lift of my heart at the thought of it being mine. “I’m going to work so hard.”
“I know you will.”
“And…” I look up into his eyes. “I want you.”
His brows draw together. “Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent.”
He brushes a thumb over my lips. “There’s no rush. Bear told me I can stay with him for a while until I get on my feet. And I might do that, because I don’t want you to feel as if we have to move in together immediately.”
“Okay,” I say softly. “But you are thinking of moving up here?”
He nods. “I’ll call my principal and hand in my resignation today. I’ll tell your dad that I’ll take the maternity cover. And we’ll see what happens after that. If you definitely want me, that is.”
I smile. “I definitely want you.”
His gaze drops to my mouth. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure,” I whisper.
“Good.” He lowers his lips. “Because I intend to spend the rest of my life making you happy, Victoria Winter.”
There’s no time to say anything else, because his lips are on mine, and he’s kissing me senseless. All I can do is sigh and let him, while the morning sun bathes us in its golden rays.
Chapter Thirty
Mitch
When Vix has calmed down, we go downstairs and discover that Emma has left and Jayden has taken Millie to the park to spend some time with her.
I’m relieved. It would have been tough to remain civil to him after seeing how upset Vix was, and I don’t really want to get into a fight with the guy in her father’s house.
But Rudolph obviously sees her red eyes and asks what happened, and so we sit down with him in the living room, and Vix goes through it all. Quite calmly, she tells him that Jayden was planning to leave her, but the accident interrupted his plans. Rudolph’s gaze slides to me. I just lift an eyebrow, and we exchange a look of mutual dislike for her ex.
She then tells him that Jayden wants to start the clock on their separation shortly after the accident.
“The marriage was already over for him,” she says. “We were practically living separate lives. Separate rooms, bank accounts, friends. I… didn’t think of it like that at the time.” Her face reddens. “But he’s right. To all intents and purposes, we separated then.”
Rudolph looks at me again, but I don’t say anything and just sit there, elbow on the arm of the sofa, my fingers resting on my mouth. I want him to know that I haven’t influenced Vix at all.
He looks back at his daughter. “You don’t have to agree,” he says carefully.
“I know.” She lifts her chin. “I’m not just saying it because it’s what he wants. I… I’m embarrassed to admit that he’s right. The marriage was over, and I refused to accept it. I was afraid, I suppose, of admitting defeat and being single again. I wanted it to work. But we haven’t been man and wife for many years. And this way, by the middle of next year I’ll be free.” She looks at me then and gives a small smile.
Rudolph’s eyebrows lift. “Ohhh… so… you’ve decided to stay?”
I nod. “I’d like to take the maternity cover, if it’s still on offer.”
“Of course!” He looks delighted.
“I’m going to ring Annabel today and hand in my resignation. I’ll need to go back to Wellington to sort out my apartment, but the lease is up in January anyway, so it’s good timing.”
“When will you go back?” Vix asks. “Please say you’ll stay up here for Christmas with us.”
“I wouldn’t want to presume…” I say awkwardly, conscious that Rudolph might have family visiting.
