The Truce (London Suits 1)

Ethan and Avery had both urged me to get out of the city and stay with family, but I couldn’t face going. In the end, Eddie had come to my rescue. He’d been messaging me daily to check up on me, and as soon as I’d mentioned the bar incident and Ethan’s suggestion of a change of scenery, he’d insisted on me staying with him and George.

“You’re welcome, baby girl. Drink this, then get ready and I’ll take you out for coffee.”

“Aren’t you meant to be working?” I eyed him quizzically.

He shrugged. “Yes, but everyone needs a coffee break, right? It’ll do you good to get some fresh air. You’ve been cooped up in here for three days now.”

I absentmindedly ran my fingers through Tink’s soft fur as I looked up at George, his dark eyes brimming with concern. “I guess you’re right.” I sighed.

“I’m always right. Take it from me. Before Eddie, I had my heart broken once.”

“You did?” My voice was small.

He crouched next to my chair, balancing his hand on the armrest. “I did. And I promise you, you’ll get through it. Pushing yourself to do something normal every day, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time, will help you to heal.”

“Thank you. For everything.”

He smiled at me fondly. “Anyt

ime, darling.”

“Right. Let’s do this, then.” I downed my juice, then got to my feet. Tink meowed indignantly as I moved him from his prone position.

“Sorry, Tink. Time to go now.”

After coffee, George shut himself in his office, and I caught up with my own work until it was dinner time, balancing my laptop precariously on the arm of my chair. I’d insisted on cooking for Eddie and George while I was staying with them, as a small token of my appreciation for everything they were doing for me, so when my phone alarm buzzed, I shut down my laptop and stood, stretching. Padding into the kitchen in my socked feet, I opened the stainless steel fridge and pulled out ingredients. I dug out a wooden chopping board and stood at the black granite kitchen counter cutting red onions, courgettes, mushrooms, and peppers. Placing them into a dish along with some whole cherry tomatoes, I coated the lot in oil and seasoning, then topped with chicken pieces and put it in the oven.

As I was placing the dirty utensils into the dishwasher, the door opened.

“Honey, I’m home!” Eddie called.

“I’m in the kitchen,” I called back. Washing my hands, I patted them dry and turned around to greet him.

“How you doing, babes?” he asked, pulling me into a hug.

“You know. The same.” I shrugged. “I’ll get there. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everything you and George are doing for me.”

“You’d do the same for me, Liv. That’s what friends are for.” He gave me a soft smile. “Go and get comfortable in the armchair. I’ll finish off the dinner.”

“Really? I feel—”

“No, go. I insist.” He gave me a gentle push towards the door.

“Okay, I’m going.” I paused in the doorway, turning back and meeting Eddie’s eyes. The question was tumbling from my lips before I could think it through.

“How is he?”

Eddie pursed his lips, eyeing me with disapproval. “Liv, I thought we agreed not to mention him.”

“I just…I want to know if he’s okay,” I whispered.

Eddie sighed. “Even if I wanted to talk about him, which I don’t, I couldn’t tell you anyway. He’s working remotely, too, apparently. So I haven’t seen him today.”

“Oh. Okay.” I bit my lip, trying to keep my emotions in check.

“Liv.” Eddie crossed the room in a few short strides and wrapped me in another hug. “Come on. Enough of this wallowing.” He forcibly dragged me to the lounge and pushed me down into the armchair, placing a blanket over my legs. “Stay. Do not move.”

“Alright, alright. I get the hint. I won’t say another word.” I mimed zipping my lips shut and picked up my Kindle, losing myself in a world of Greek gods and wolf shifters.