“It opens,” I said, chuckling at her awe and pulling at the bow.
She glanced at me with a smile and then lifted the lid.
“American walnut outside. And English sycamore inside.” I hadn’t realized it until now, but it was like the box represented us. American and English, bound together as one.
“It’s amazing. I’ve never owned anything so beautiful. You made this for me?”
“Yes, of course for you. I wasn’t sure how it was going to work out because, like I said, I don’t normally make things from scratch. But it didn’t turn out too badly.” It had taken a while to make but I’d gotten up early for the last month or so and stolen a few hours here and there when Autumn had gone to bed.
She ran her fingers around the internal squares that would separate each piece of jewelry. “It’s just so pretty.”
“There’s two layers there. The top is a tray that lifts out.” I showed her, pulling out the tray and replacing it once she’d peered into the space underneath.
She put her arms around my waist and just seemed to stare at it.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a gift that I love more than this.” She looked up at me. “‘Thank you’ doesn’t seem to be enough.”
I wanted to tell her that it was me who should thank her. Thank her for coming into my world and sprinkling her sunshine onto my dark soul. Thank her for warming me with her light. Thank her for being just what I needed. “You don’t even need to say thank you. I wanted to do it.”
I wanted to give her something of me. I wanted her to have something special. She deserved it all.
“How am I ever going to let you go if you keep doing stuff like this for me?”
What she said was like a knife piercing my armor. I realized I didn’t want her to picture a future without me. “Maybe it’s all part of my plan to keep you,” I said, trying to use the same breezy intonation she had but meaning every word. Maybe that was why I’d given up sleep to make this box. Subconsciously, perhaps it was my invitation to her to stay in my life. To stay in Bethany’s life. Neither of us wanted to lose her.
She looked at me with forlorn eyes, her smile having faded, and wrapped her arms around my waist. “I’m serious,” she said. “I really like you and when I move out—”
“I’m serious too,” I interrupted, not wanting her to finish her thought.
“Can we figure something out?” she asked. “I know I like to see the bright side of things, but I’m not sure there’s an upside to not being with you.”
I exhaled, grateful that she’d verbalized what I’d been feeling. Of course it would be Autumn, the bravest woman I knew. “I’m sure we can figure something out.” I wasn’t sure. I knew I wouldn’t hold her back if what she wanted to do was travel the world or move back to America. I knew she was young enough that a lot could change in a few months. But I had started to wonder whether or not Autumn was someone I could accept a promise from.
Twenty-Four
Gabriel
Mike’s very grey office suited him. I just didn’t know why I was sitting here first thing this morning. We’d gone over a few strategy points on the Rome deal, but nothing that couldn’t have been discussed over the phone.
He narrowed his eyes at me. “What’s the matter with you?”
“Nothing.” Other than the fact that you called me across town for no reason. “Why do you ask?”
“You don’t normally look so happy.”
I chuckled. “Sorry to disappoint you, Mike. I’m going to leave you to it. I’ve got a busy day.” I stood and headed out, still laughing to myself. Mike wasn’t the first person to mention my mood today. This morning my secretary had said I sounded like I’d caught up on my sleep. Little did she know that I’d had little more than an hour on Saturday night.
But I’d choose a naked Autumn over sleep any day of the week.
And apparently naked time with Autumn had created my good mood. Perhaps it would be a permanent shift over time.
As I got out into the street, my phone buzzed in my hand. It was my solicitor—perfect, she was due to call when the divorce papers finalized. At this rate my positivity would at least last the day.
“Gillian,” I said as I answered the phone. “I’m actually not too far from your offices. You want me to call in and sign the papers?”
“Actually no.” She cleared her throat. “I’ve not had the papers yet, but her solicitor has called this morning with a request from her.”
The blood in my veins stilled and I stopped in my tracks. All I could see was Bethany. Happy, laughing, mine.