An Endless Summer(121)

“No one knew, eh?” Dad curved his brow.

Sean coughed, looking sheepishly at the floor. “Well, no one bar one.” Sean’s eyes lifted, a smile curving his lips.

“Do I need to guess?” Dad asked.

“If you were me and you could choose to go partners with someone in this place, who would you choose?”

Partners?

Dad broke into a slow smile. “You and Chris are going to do just fine.” He held out his hand.

Sean visibly sagged as he took Dad’s hand, but before he could register the movement, Dad pulled him into a manly hug, slapping him affectionately on the back, before pulling away with a sniff.

“The real estate guy was right – it’s turned out to be a beautiful day.” Dad sighed. I knew he was fighting his emotions, yet it wasn’t the pang of sorrow and loss but the resounding relief of knowing the Onslow was going to be in safe hands.

I didn’t know what to feel.

With the click of the apartment door sounding, I stood stock still, staring blankly at Sean.

He sighed. “I wanted to tell you … I tried to tell you.”

“When?”

“The day after you stayed at my house, right before Ringer gave you a lift back.”

I didn’t have to think hard; I remembered the exact moment he was talking about. Vividly. How could I have been so stupid? I’d panicked and fled before giving him the chance, fearing the worst: the ‘we should just be friends’ spiel.

“Why didn’t you tell me another time? You had plenty of chances.”

“I thought about trying again, but come on. Amy, you thought putting up scaffolding was charity; what would you have said about buying the Onslow?”

I bit my lip. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have liked it. I didn’t know what was wrong with me – any kind, helpful gesture he made I met with bull-headed defiance. Apart from my paying off his account, which, in the scheme of things, meant nothing, I had never been anything other than a burden to him financially. What had I to offer him? I felt sick.

“Sean, I’m so sorry.” My voice shook.

Sean’s brows creased in confusion.

I shook my head. “I wish I never came home. I’m sorry for the day I ever came crashing into your life.”

“I’m not.” Sean’s eyes burned unflinchingly into mine for so long I had to look away. “Hey,” he said gently, “I’m not. You are the only girl I have ever met who didn’t want something from me. The only one who didn’t look at me and see money, a car, a house, my devilish good looks.”

That made me laugh.

Sean took in a deep breath and stepped forward.

“And because of that, I wanted to give them to you. I should have told you.” He swallowed deeply before taking another hesitant footstep out into the open, onto the balcony.

I pressed my back against the railing, seeing Sean work through his paralysing fear to cross the balcony towards me.

With each step my heart rate spiked.

“You should have told me.”

“I wanted to, so many times.” He took another deep breath before another step.

“Did you try last night?” I bit out.

Sean paused halfway across the balcony. “Well, in my defence, I was going to until you attacked me.” He smirked.

I blushed crimson, looking away from his playful eyes.

Sean took another deep breath before striding across to me and the railing. I reached out my hand – he took it, stepping into me and grabbing a nearby pole before glancing down.

“Holy shit, it’s high.” He spun away, his breathing heavy.

I moved in front of him, turning him away from the view, my eyes flicking over the beautiful lines of his face. It was now ghost white with fear.

I smiled. “What are you doing?”

He let out a shuddery breath, closing his eyes. “It’s called diving in at the deep end,” he said, before forcing his eyes open to look down at me.

I shook my head. “I seriously can’t pay you back for this.”

Sean laughed, as if he had almost forgotten to be terrified. He snaked his arms around my back, drawing me close. “I understand why you’re spoilt within an inch of your life.”

I frowned, puzzled.

“Who could help but want to give you the world?”

“But your home, Sean. You remortgaged your beautiful home?” I felt hot tears burn my eyes.

“You’re my home.” Sean stared down at me, his breath laboured for a whole other reason as he slowly closed the distance between our faces, brushing his lips against mine, gently at first, and then more insistently, cleansing me of all the worry and fear as I slid my hands up and along his broad back. He slowly drew away.