Page 55 of Learning to Trust

My heart pounded against my rib cage when the Porsche passed my house and turned into David’s driveway. Hurrying to the kitchen window, I watched as David climbed from behind the wheel and stepped to the trunk where he removed a suitcase and his laptop bag. He was a little dishevelled from his flight, but I’d never seen a sight more perfect. David looked exactly as I remembered. I chuckled to myself, the man had only been gone five weeks, but in fairness, it had felt like a fucking lifetime. Kyle and Janice were right, I couldn’t deny it any longer—I loved the man. By the end of the day, he would have no doubt about how I felt.

I sucked in a deep breath, left via the side door off the kitchen, and crossed the lawn to David's front door. It was unlocked as Janice had said it would be and I walked straight inside, closing the door behind me. I strode to where I could hear voices in the kitchen.

“David.”

David stood making coffee and he spun around on hearing my voice.

"How—?" His eyes flashed to his sister. "You didn't lock the door," David accused.

Janice shook her head. “It’s time you listened.”

David leaned against the countertop, arms crossed over his chest and a deep scowl on his face. "I can't fight you both. Say what you have to, Andrew, and then leave."

A car horn sounded from out front.

“That’s Steve.” Janice kissed her brother’s cheek. “Call me.”

She squeezed my hand as she passed and gave me a reassuring smile. I heard the door close with a click. David remained stiff and alert.

“Can we sit down?” I asked.

David shrugged and dropped into a chair at the table. I sat opposite. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence.

“Say what you have to, there are several things I need to get done. I’m guessing the meeting with a realtor was a ruse to get me here instead of going straight to a hotel.”

“I don’t know, Janice just assured me you would be here. I need to explain about Peter.”

David shook his head and tears welled in his eyes. “It broke me, Andrew—seeing him naked in your home. I’d trusted you.”

"David, absolutely nothing happened and if you had listened to me, you would know it wasn't what it appeared. I got home from work and found him in my pool. I ordered him out and he helped himself to a towel that he wrapped around his waist. I picked up his shoes and shirt and told him to leave. I was locking the back door when you rang the doorbell and he answered. I needed to get rid of him before I came after you to explain but by then you were in your car, and you wouldn't give me a chance to say anything. Peter stalked me for weeks. I took out a restraining order, but he ignored it and attempted to break into my home, so I had him arrested. He was diagnosed as Bipolar, and his father put him into a facility where he could get treatment and help. Angus called off the engagement when he found out about the mental illness and a few hours later, Peter stabbed himself in the heart with a butcher's knife he somehow got from the kitchen." The words tumbled out. I was terrified David wouldn't give me time to tell him everything.

David gasped. “Peter’s dead?”

“Yes.”

“Why? Why did he suddenly come after you? Hadn’t it been years since you had been together?”

“I was puzzled by that also. You were right when you said he wanted me. Peter admitted that seeing us together at the restaurant made him jealous. He realized what he’d lost and wanted me back.”

“So you hadn’t agreed to meet him behind my back?”

"Of course not. I gave you my word that I wouldn’t, and I had no interest in seeing him. He meant nothing to me, and I had no intention of rekindling any relationship."

David lowered his eyes before lifting them back to mine. “I fucked up, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did.”

“I guess we’re done.” I heard the sorrow and regret in David’s voice when he spoke.

“Not a chance.” Leaving my seat, I moved to David, turned his chair, kneeled, and gathered both hands. “I love you, David. I didn’t want to but my heart knows you’re the one. These past few weeks without you, not hearing your voice, having your body, have nearly killed me. I want you to move in with me to get away from the bad memories that reside in your house. I’ll understand if you think it’s too soon, but David, I’m going to marry you.”

David gave me a cheeky grin. “You’re assuming I’ll say yes when you ask.”

“I know you will, but that question is for another day.”

“I love you.”

“I know you do, it just took me until you were gone to realize the feeling was mutual.”