“Good idea,” I said, needing some alcohol. Now.

And that was how an hour later I found myself sitting around a table with Stu, Jamie, Alfie, and three of the other players who’d almost made it to the final. At one point Jamie had popped up to his flat above the shop and grabbed a few more bottles of wine. I was tipsy and flushed, and generally enjoying the conversation and the company. Whether that was down to the alcohol or the fact that Stu kept finding new, subtle ways to touch me, I couldn’t say.

His arm rested against mine, his skin warm. I closed my eyes for a minute, enjoying the feel of him.

“Tired?” he asked low enough so no one else could hear. Not that any of them were listening. They were all too drunk and engrossed in their boisterous conversation.

“A little.”

“Want me to walk you home?” His breath hit my ear and I trembled. Stu made a noise that sounded a lot like frustration. When I looked at him his eyes were practically glowing.

“Yes.”

As soon as the word left my mouth he helped me from my seat and we said goodnight to the others. I was vaguely aware of Jamie’s knowing smile as Stu slid his arm through mine and led me outside.

“Wait, I forgot my things . . .” I scrambled to go back into the shop when Stu lifted his other arm on which hung my coat and handbag.

“Oh, you think of everything,” I said, a big stupid grin on my face.

His expression was fond and it made my stomach fizzle. “Yeah?”

“Mm-hmm.” I glanced up at him. “You’re not half as drunk as the rest of us, are you?”

Stu shook his head. “I’m not a big wine drinker.”

“No, I remember. You’re more of a beer and whiskey sort of bloke.”

He chuckled quietly and tipped my forehead. “That’s right. Good memory.”

“I always remember stuff about you,” I slurred just before he dropped his arm and slid it around my waist so I was snuggled against him. The warmth from his body felt delicious, especially since it was dark out and there was a chill in the air. I was almost sad when we reached my flat, because he let go and pulled my keys from my bag for me.

“Thanks, I had a great time tonight,” I said, sticking them in the lock and pushing the door open. I turned and stood in the doorway facing him. “I’m glad I decided to compete. It was fun.”

“Yeah, me too. You were a better player than you gave yourself credit for.”

I shrugged. “Not as good as you ya big . . . winner.” I grimaced and smacked my hand over my face. “Oh my God, I really am drunk. I should go to bed.”

Stu’s gaze was hot and for a second I thought he might kiss me, but he only ran a hand down my arm before stepping away. “Get some sleep, luv. I’ll see you in class on Monday.”

I swallowed tightly. “Yeah, see you Monday.”

A second later he was gone and I went into my kitchen, plopping my bag down on the counter and grabbing a glass of water. I sat on a stool and stared glumly at the room, disappointed that even as tipsy as I was, I still hadn’t the courage to tell him how I really felt. My phone buzzed with a text, and I knew it was probably Alfie checking to make sure I got home okay. I pulled my bag into my lap, fumbling for my phone when my hand brushed off something unfamiliar. Upon closer inspection I discovered it was a book, but not just any book.

What the hell?

I withdrew the first edition copy of Jude the Obscure and emotion swelled within me. Stu. He must’ve put it in there when I wasn’t looking. My eyes started to water as I opened it to find Thomas Hardy’s signature on the title page. My fingers skimmed reverently over the inscription. As I did so, something else fell out onto my lap. Actually, two somethings: a note and pretty white-gold chain. I unfolded the note to read it.

Andrea,

Not all stories end sadly. Take a chance on us. I’ll be waiting.

Stu.

P.S. If you ever decide to take off the ring, this should keep it safe.

The water in my eyes turned to full-on tears as I held up the delicate piece of jewellery. It glittered under the light of the lampshade overhead. So pretty. My pulse quickened as my attention went to my ring. Without overthinking it, I slid it off my finger and put it on the chain. Next I clipped it around my neck, and somehow it just felt right. It was still with me, because Mark always would be too. But I no longer needed its presence to be a barrier. I didn’t need it to protect my heart, because my heart had been given another soul to love. To be safe with.

Mark’s ring had found a new home and gratefulness filled me, because Stu’s kind gesture, his gift, had been what gave me the courage to move forward.

My life wasn’t over.

Maybe it had just begun.

I didn’t hesitate when I climbed off the stool, grabbed my keys, and headed for the door. Stu’s car was still parked outside Jamie’s shop, so he couldn’t have gone far. I ran outside and onto the street, my heart pounding as I searched for him. I was barely three houses down when I stopped in my tracks.

He stood by the kerb as though debating whether or not to come back to my flat.

Then he looked up.

His eyes wandered over me, but it didn’t take him long to see I was wearing the chain. All at once his expression changed from uncertainty to joy to heated possession. He started to smile when I suddenly leapt for him, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. My hands trembled when I cupped his face and pulled his mouth to mine, kissing him with everything I had inside me.

He groaned into the kiss, holding me tight as our tongues collided.

I broke away long enough to whisper, “I love you.”

Then my mouth was on him again, kissing, nipping, biting. Stu made a low sound of pleasure and frustration as he tried to catch his breath. “Wait, Andrea. What did you just say?”

“I said I love you. I’ve loved you for as long as you’ve loved me. Maybe longer.”

At this he clasped my chin in one hand, pulling my mouth back to his in a hot, searing kiss. “Say it again,” he growled.

“I love you.”

“Again.”

“I love you.”

His hands cupped my backside, his expression full of sexy promise. “I love you, too, Andrea. So fucking much.”

After that everything sped up. Before I knew it he’d carried me back to my flat, into my bedroom, and divested me of all my clothing. His face was between my legs. I arched off the mattress and gasped when I came. Stu crawled up my body. He was naked, too, but I couldn’t for the life of me remember how he’d gotten that way. Though there were scratches and bite marks on his neck and shoulders that had to have been my doing.