Falling for Mr Wrong (21 page)

She was not interested in being with him and there was no compromise. What was the use in going over it again? He did not need her to reject him and his ideas
again
. All the plans he had thought about over the past couple of days, them travelling, them being together – gone. He sucked in sharp breath. Time to accept it and move on.

Back to London, back to his life, back to his work. Lifting his head, he started the car and made his way through the windy roads until he came to an intersection. It was here that he would need to make his final decision. One way would return him to Tiberius, whilst the other would take him to the airport. With a sad sigh, he turned the car in the direction of Ben Gurion airport and away from Tilly.

Tilly lay in bed unable to move her weary body. Self-doubt had given her a night of interrupted and restless sleep, making it seem she had only dozed for a couple of minutes rather than eight hours. Despite her bravado in making a life changing resolution to remain in Israel, uncertainty about her and Nate itched up and down her spine. Should she have made more allowances for him? Should she have just gone to London and pretended everything was okay when really it wasn’t? At least she would be with Nate instead of on her own.

To stop the tears of self-pity threatening to spill from her eyes again, she bit her lip. Had she made the right decision for her and Nate? Or just herself?

Hugging her waist, lying in bed, she reflected on their talk and her determination to do what she wanted. She had not offered a compromise because she could not see one. There had been no allowances or consideration to him and the final decision was all about what she had wanted. Perhaps she should have spoken more with Nate before walking away?

Here in Israel she was herself having a purpose and an opportunity for a new life. Regret inched up and down her back that Nate would not be a part of it. Would that be so bad? She had only known him for such a short time. How could she make a commitment like that? Was it possible to have both?

Curling into a tighter ball, she reflected on different options. Could they live in England but not in London? Was there a job in customer service where she would not be bombarded every day with stares from people wondering if she was
that woman
? Could Nate find her a job? He would no doubt have contacts in different areas. Just because she did not know about a job, it did not mean there was not one out there.

And what about Sebastian? Tosser! The last thing she wanted to see was his smug smile, so self-assured in his ability to saunter from any situation and come out the winner. She could always turn the telly off when he came on. She chuckled at the thought.

Grunting into her pillow, she longed for Nate to comfort and hold her. She missed the smell of his lemony aftershave and his ability to make her smile. She missed him.

A couple of hours later, Tilly sat on the same bench, she and Nate had shared the night before, thinking of all the could-have-beens. She checked her mobile phone for the tenth time – there were no missed calls or messages. Sighing, she drew her legs up and rested her chin on her knees.

“Tilly.”

Her head whizzed around, hearing Nate’s voice. Her mind was playing tricks on her because he had checked out hours ago from the YMCA and should have been at the airport by now.

“Tilly.”

She rubbed her eyes, unable to believe Nate was walking towards her.

Her gaze took in his cargo shorts and the snug fit of his white T-shirt which only added to the sexiness of his appeal. Despite the tired look across his jaw, he strode towards her and in seconds was beside her.

Next to her, he took her hand. “Are you prepared to take a chance on us?”

“What?” She shook her head to clear the fogginess in her head. There had not been a greeting or an acknowledgment about their unresolved issues from the previous night. He wanted to take a chance on her? For some reason, the ABBA song,
Take a Chance on Me
, whirled in her brain.

Seemingly oblivious to the tumble drier of thoughts bouncing around in her head, he continued. “Forget about London and Sebastian.” He waved his hand in the air. “If it was just you and me, would you be interested in us dating?”

Her heart lifted. “Of course, saying goodbye last night was really hard.”

The soft smile fell from his face. “You didn’t compromise,” he said in a low voice.

“I know and I was wrong. Because I couldn’t see one, I made a decision for us, without talking things through with you.” She drew in a deep breath. “I thought I was doing what was best for us. But we should have made the decision
together
.” She said with reluctance. “I didn’t sleep last night, thinking about it.”

The smile returned, stretching across his face. “I have a compromise.”

“Tell me,” she appealed with an eagerness that did not need hiding.

“I don’t know if I’d like living here. It’s hot, it’s not London, I don’t have a job here and I don’t speak Hebrew.”

“Actually, it snows in Jerusalem sometimes in winter,” she added with a cheeky grin. “Is there a positive?”

“No,” he said with a firm press of his lips.

The single syllable was a hard punch to her lungs. “I see.” It looked like if she wanted them to be together, she would have to move to London. The thought speared through her lungs, making it hard to breathe.

His brow lifted. “All I know is that the only thing I like about here, is you.”

“Me?” she said, her forehead creasing. She really was not sure what he was saying or what he was alluding to. Should she get excited, or was there a ‘but’ coming along?

“Yes, you.”

“What’s the compromise?” She twisted her fingers in her lap.

“I want to be with you and if I have to come here and put up with this blasted heat and irritating humidity, I’ll do it,” he said with a determined nod.

“What?” she gasped, excitement bursting in her belly, while her tired brain struggled to make sense of his words. Did he really mean he was going to come here? What if he hated it? How would their relationship last if they were fighting over where to live? “If you hate it here and you don’t have a job, what you will you do? It’ll come between us,” she admitted.

“Wherever we live must have air conditioning.”

“Fair enough. But—”

“Let me finish.” He raised his hand in a stop gesture. “We need a place with a study-room, so I can write.”

“Write your blog? From here?”

His eyes lit up. “I’m going to give you two years. Two years of living here and if I still hate it, we’re moving to London. By then, I think you’ll be well and truly yesterday’s news.”

“I like this but I’m confused. How will you write your blog?” Her eyes narrowed as her brain registered the concession he was offering. He would do that for her? For them to be together?

“I’m taking time off to write fiction. Your aunty’s tour inspired me and I have this brilliant idea of a political thriller. But, we’re also going to spend time together and travel.”

“And what about Sebastian?” she asked with a tentative reluctance.

“That’s up to you?” he threw at her.

“Me?” she squeaked, as her heart leapt to her throat every time she heard the loser’s name.

“Yes, you.” He pointed at her. “You tell me what you want to do and I’ll do it.”

“B-but, this is what you wanted, for years. It’s what has driven you, to right the wrongs of what he did to Bea.”

A large sigh escaped his lips. “I know, but I want you more. It’s taken a boy of sixteen to show me that.” He quickly recanted the morning’s meeting and how, after taking Dov to Tsfat, he started to drive to the airport. “The talk with Dov made me reflect and see how much anger I’ve been holding for so many years.” He threw his hands up in the air. “Bea no longer cares about Sebastian, she told me the other day. Yet the fire in me still wanted to bring him down. I can’t shake it. So, my beautiful Tilly, you’re going to tell me what to do and I’ll do it.” He paused. “Bringing him down will mean you will be involved. The press may come after you, or they may not.”

She nibbled her lip. “Can I think about it?”

“Of course,” he nodded. “For years, I’ve been caring for Bea, but I need to stop that. She’s a grown woman and has a boyfriend who’ll care for her. After all these years, I can now do what’s best for me. And what’s best for me is being with the woman I love.”

She gasped. “You really love me?”

“Yes,” he said with a proud determination. “I even rang my Dad, well, my foster Dad, to make sure.” He cleared his throat. “It’s not easy for me to talk about my feelings but that call was the best thing I ever did. He’s got experience, knowledge and integrity. I trust him. I know now what I feel is love – real, true love.”

Her lips stretched into a giant smile. How amazing was Nate? Her chest was close to bursting with joy and her palms pressed against her cheeks. Her heart soared, this was so much better than any arrangement she could have ever dreamed of. “You love me and here I was, almost ready to follow you to London.”

“Seriously?” He hit his forehead in mock-horror. “I should have let you speak first.”

She giggled at his theatrics. “But will you be happy?”

“All I know is that I’m happiest with you. If I have to change my life to be with you, I’m prepared to do it.”

“Thank you, Nate. I’m overwhelmed by your love and thoughtfulness of me. I promise to come to London with you, if you’re unhappy living here.” She stopped, placing her hand over her heart. “I’m crazy for you Nate, you make me so happy. Thank you for coming after me but just so you know, I would’ve come after you.”

“Thank God for that.” Relief stretched across his face. “Can I kiss you now?”

“Of course,” she said, jumping up from her seat before snuggling in his lap. “Kiss away, Handsome.”

Seven months later

Tilly held Nate’s hand as they walked the length of the coastline between Coogee and Bondi beaches, enjoying the autumn warmth.

“Sydney is a beautiful place to be when it’s sunny – look at that view,” Nate said, gazing at Tilly.

She hit him playfully on the arm. “You’re looking at me instead of the ocean.”

“You’re more beautiful.” He pressed his lips on the sensitive spot behind her ear, making her shiver.

They stopped walking and she turned to him. “You’re insatiable,” she teased.

He lifted her left hand and kissed the knuckles on her fingers, the diamond, platinum ring sparkling in the sunshine. “We’re engaged and I’m supposed to want you.”

“I can’t wait till we’re married. Should we have a summer wedding here, England or Israel?” She said in a wistful voice, still unable to decide where to marry, although she was swaying towards London since Nate had moved to Israel for her.

“We’re getting married in three days,” he said with a casualness that made her jaw drop.

She punched his arm. “You’d better be joking.” Her gaze took in the serious look on his face and she knew for certain this was no throw-away line. Her belly clenched at his autocratic decision. “What? I’m the bride. What about the organising? I thought this was something we would do together.”

“All done.” He threw her a nonchalant look which made the temperature in her blood skyrocket.

She wagged her finger at him. “Months ago, you told me off for making hasty decisions for us and now you’ve done exactly that.” She crossed her arms across her chest, quite unable to believe they would be married so soon, and without her involvement or input. “Did you at least invite my parents?” she snapped at him. How would her family get to London? It would take them two days of travelling plus her father would need to get a minister to fill in whilst he was away. She rubbed the back of her neck as an ache crept up her spine towards her head.

He gave her a smug smile. “You think I wouldn’t invite your family? Your mum’s planned it all. We’re getting married at your home.”

She sucked in a sharp breath. Her parents were in on this and she had been the last to know? Her fists tightened into balls. It was like a joke where everyone understood the punch line except her. “A casual wedding? You hate informal,” she threw at him, with a toss of her head.

“If I can move to Israel and give up my preconceptions of what I thought I wanted, I think a relaxed ceremony and reception will be great.”

“Why did you leave me out?” As much as she did not want to admit it, it was like when everyone else in the class was invited to a party and she had been left out.

He gathered her close and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry, I wanted to surprise you. It’s all for you. This way, you’ll have the wedding you always wanted and not have to compromise.”

“But it’s your wedding too?” her nose crinkled, still struggling to understand why he was doing this.

“The wedding is the bride’s day. I want to make you happy and thought you’d love this.” He pressed his lips against hers.

“But what about Bea? Your friends? The Youngs?” She stumbled for words, unable to comprehend the bombshell he had just thrown at her. “And my parents just agreed to this?” She threw her hands in the air with a humph, wondering if her fiancé was ridiculing her or being sincere. “You haven’t met them—”

He grinned. “I met them a couple of months ago—”

She scratched her ear. “Was that when you were supposed to be attending a colleague’s wedding in New Zealand?”

“Got it.” He cocked a conceited eyebrow skyward. “I came here instead and did the honourable duty of asking your Dad for your hand in marriage. I can’t wait to marry you and since we’re here, it makes sense not to wait. Besides, your family misses you. I want them to give you the wedding you would want, not the wedding you think we should have. You told me what you wanted, remember, in the car driving to Jerusalem, after the reporters found you?” He looked at his watch. “We have time to buy you a dress before we drive to see your parents.”

She gasped. “I don’t know whether to hit you or kiss you.”

“I’d prefer a kiss, if you’re offering,” he said with a self-satisfied smile stretching across his face.