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Jeremy comes back down and finds me in the dining room half an hour later, and he looks suitably guilty.
I made a pot of coffee and sandwiches but won’t sit in the kitchen to eat or drink. I won’t spend a moment in there unless I have to.
“Hey,” he sounds sombre, and I’m glad.
“Coffee’s in the kitchen.” He leaves and comes back with two cups.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I take a bite of the sandwich and nod to his plate. We eat in silence.
“I’m sorry. Things got out of control.”
I look at him and see the bags under his eyes. “I know. I was there for some of it.”
“It’s done. Over. We had the party, and now we can enjoy the summer together.”
“About that. I’ll be heading to Cornwall with Mum in a few weeks. I didn’t know what your plans were this summer, you know, with everything.” I reach for his hand, but he pulls it away.
“You’re going away?”
“Yeah. I always go with my mum. You know this.”
“I guess I thought it would be different this year. Besides, I have plans for your birthday.”
“Okay, but I’m sure my mum has too.” There’s an edge of irritation still in my voice.
“Not the same.”
“It’s not a big deal. I thought you’d be in the Cove anyway, so we wouldn’t be apart that much, and your mum might need a break.”
“My mum needs rehab and to be done with my fucking father.” He jumps up, knocking the chair backwards.
“Has something happened?”
“He’s just a bastard, and that’s not going to change.” He shakes his head and walks over to the window.
The memory of my father driving away switches on inside my mind like a lightbulb. “I’m sorry, Jere. I am.”
“So am I. I’d booked for us to go to London for your birthday weekend: hotel, afternoon tea, a show, all the stuff I thought you’d like to do but haven’t.”
My heart squeezes in my chest.
“I thought we could head to Cornwall after.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” I shake my head, half in disbelief but unable to deny the embers of excitement flickering to life.
“Because I wanted it to be a surprise.” He paces around the room, and the tension rolls off him, hitting me in waves.
“Hey. Look, maybe I can go with Mum for a few days, then come back, and we can do the London trip and head down to Cornwall.” I approach him and turn him around so he’s facing me. “That way, everyone wins?” I watch his eyes, looking for a spark of something as I run the logistics of the plan over in my head.
All this time, I was worrying about Jeremy, and he’s been planning the most romantic gesture, something I couldn’t have planned better myself.
He rests his head against my forehead, something he seems to like doing.
“I love you. It’s been a shitty few months, and I wanted to spoil you. We can do it your way as long as we’re together. Deal?” His hands slide around my neck, his fingers run through my hair, and I melt against him.
