Page 133 of Unapologetic Love Story

‘Solana, stop the car.’

‘What? But—’

‘Stop the car now!’

‘What?!’

‘This is my favourite bridge!’

Solana slammed on the brakes but Raina was already halfway out. She hiked up her dress and started running towards the bridge. She ignored her sister’s calls and kept running. If she ended up having to run all the way to Fulham, she would. She didn’t know his actual address, but she was quite happy to knock on each and every door.

She stopped as she reached the bridge. It was almost deserted, only a cyclist coming towards her.

And one figure at the far end.

They faced each other, most of the bridge stretched out between them. Raina felt the entire night inside of her heart. The elation of winning, of being recognized. The enoughness she’d felt, long before that moment was given to her.

Then the agonizing loss she’d felt at not seeing him in the audience.

‘Hey!’ she shouted. He turned at her voice and everything she’d been feeling showed in his face. ‘This side of the river doesn’t allow any cynics or dudes with terrible friends. Are you in the right part of town?’

He studied her from his side of the bridge. ‘Lucky for you, I used to be those things but, these days, not so much.’

‘Oh, yeah?’ she spoke around the lump in her throat. ‘What changed your mind?’

‘Less of a what, more of a who.’

‘Are you waiting for someone?’

He took a step forward. He looked worn out. But stoically hopeful. ‘Yeah. The love of my life; she lives near here.’

Raina let out a half-laugh, half-sob.

And she started to run, yanking the dress up so it wouldn’t trip her or catch on the bridge. He started to run also. She picked up speed and pushed out every breath with a gasp.

She hit his body with the force of a train, almost knocking him to the ground. She buried her face in the lapels of his black coat and made a noise of contentment and frustration. She had no chance of verbalizing what it was she was feeling, so it was a relief when he kissed her.

‘I could kill you, Tom Branimir,’ she said against his mouth.

‘I’m so sorry,’ he said when he finally needed breath. ‘I’m sorry, Raina.’

‘Shut up.’ She pulled his face back to hers. ‘For once, shut up!’

They appeared to become one person on the bridge, earning a few looks from cyclists and the odd passer-by. Raina had no idea how long they’d been standing there by the time they finally pulled apart again. She laughed at the red lipstick stains on his mouth. She kissed the corner of his lips, to mark him there, too.

‘You’re welcome to tell me to jump in the Thames,’ he said, and she laughed, ‘but I would really like to take you home now.’

Raina blinked ferociously then grinned. ‘I knew it.’

‘What?’

‘You have been following me. Showing up here every night. Romantic gesture, perhaps. Obsessive behaviour? Very likely.’

‘I am obsessed with you. Went for a walk because the piece was out and I ended up here. Only briefly thought about jumping in the river.’

‘I read it.’

‘I wanted you to. I told Seb and Ottie I’m done with them. I have no interest in seeing either of them ever again.’