The First Touch (Templer Series) (16 page)

The laughing smile suddenly leaves his face. He looks at me full on, and serious. Instinctively, I stop eating, realisation dawns on me what I just said.
Shit.

Grabbing my hand in his, he leans into me. “Say that again”

I can feel the gulp hanging in my throat. “I love you”

He gently pulls me off my seat and into his lap. He tilts my chin up to look into his eyes. I notice they are moist with emotion, and I can feel my mouth become suddenly dry.

“I love you.” His voice is broken with the strength of the emotion, and with that, we sit in silence, holding each other.

Epilogue

One Month Later

Drew is sat drumming his fingers on his old oak chest. Occasionally, he stops to slowly stroke the wood, memories of his father performing the same motion replaying in his head. He wished he was still here
, especially now, this day, to help him with his decision.

Instead, opposite him, lounging in the other ancient leather chair is Jake. He loves his brother deeply but they rarely talk, if ever, about intensely personal matters. And this decision is a very personal matter.

“So, are you going to spit it out then…..the reason for the
endless
fucking drumming of the fingers…..” Jake drawls, eyeing his brother for the umpteenth time.

Jake will have to do. Who else is there? He runs a hand through his hair and releases a deep breath before speaking.

“Tilly…..this relationship…..it’s not enough anymore…..not for me”

Jake jumps forward, his eyes wide.

“What are you saying? I don’t understand? I thought you were nuts about each other!”

“No….no…..I mean, fuck! I mean I want more”

“More than Tilly?” Confusion is flooding Jake’s brain. He’s never seen his brother so contented, so fucking happy.

“Jesus, Jake…..let me get my words together! I mean this” He pulls a small red box out of his desk drawer and slides it across to his brother.

Jake eyes the box, eyes his brother, then back at the box. A huge grin spreads across his mouth. He pulls the lid open to reveal a singular large, square cut diamond set upon a platinum band. “Sweet! I’m totally chuffed for you, Bro! When you thinking of popping the question?” He jumps up and shakes Drew’s hand with vigour.

Drew is smiling broadly now, shyly. “Well, that’s where I need your help. And Mia. I want to plan a surprise party…..for this weekend….do it then. Can you and Mia help me sort it?”

“I can help, for sure. Might be a
slight
problem……You’ll need to ring Mia yourself”

“Why? What’s happened between you too now?” Drew releases an exasperated breath.

“Nothing…..she’s just not talking to me” Jake smiles a lop-sided grin.

“What is this big mystery happening between you and her?” Drew laughs, shaking his head again.

“Well, that’s another story…..not for today…..now let’s plan this fucking engagement party!”

And with that, the Templer Brothers set about planning a party…….