Page 76 of Tears of Gold

“Thanks. Now if you don’t mind, can you stay here and play princess while I spend ten minutes with your wife?”

He nods and I slip back into their room. Abi is on the bed. “What’s up?” I plonk myself down next to her.

“Nothing.”

“Talk, sister.”

“Guess I’m just jealous. All those years we were together, you, me, and Dan, and then Adam when he came along. Now I feel like you’re leaving me behind.”

I grab her hand. “You’re the one who said Brighton was no longer my home.” Those were the words she said the night Eli ran from me covered in bruises. The night I decided to go to the police and put the past behind me once and for all. I nudge her with my shoulder. “You will always be my home, Abi. You are my best friend and nothing: no house, no credit card, nothing, will ever change that. It’s why I have a question for you?”

“I am not moving furniture for you again. Sorry, but you’re on your own with that one.”

I chuckle and then reach into the drawer of the side cabinet next to the bed, pulling out a small black box. “You know, I haven’t been able to create anything since what happened last in Brighton. Everything is blocked, and I know the only way I can get it back is to push my way forward. But I can only go forward if the people I need are with me. Eli, you, maybe Dan one day when he forgives me.” I slide the box into her hand. “It’s why I want to ask you to be my chief bridesmaid and why I know I can’t do it without you.”

She opens the box and finds the diamond star on its slender chain nestling on black velvet.

“Faith! Are you crazy?”

“Completely. But I need you to keep guiding me on. You’ve never let me down yet and I know you won’t ever.”

A tear slips down her face.

“I have no idea what this wedding is going to be and let’s be real if it’s anything to do with the Faircloughs it’s going to be awful, but I know with you on my side I’ll have all the things I need. And Charlotte obviously. My two girls.”

Abi almost catches me in a death hug, and I chuckle as she sobs into my neck.

“I thought I was losing you.”

“Are you mad? Right, stop snivelling, let’s get you ready.”

“I only brought my pjs and clean knickers.”

Laughing, I get up and grab her hand, pulling her after me. “I know you too well.” I walk for the wardrobe and open the double doors. Picking out the black dress, I hand it over. With a skater skirt and a deep V neckline, I know it’s going to look amazing on her.

“I can’t wear that, I’ve only got my frumpy M&S knickers on.”

“Did you know that in the street along from here there’s a boutique specialising in French lingerie?”

She flashes me a scowl. “No. I was humping boxes and furniture remember?”

Laughing, I grab the box out of the bottom of the wardrobe and push it into her arms. “Here. Now stop sulking and get changed. The others will be here soon.”

I leave her to it and go back downstairs finding Eli in the dining room opening a bottle of red.

“Are you being a fairy godmother?”

“I didn’t know you were home.”

“I didn’t want to disturb you. Plus, I’m as stealthy as a ninja.”

I slide my arms around him and squeeze him as tight as I possibly can. “Do you want your present now or later?”

“Well if it’s a blow job, I think later.” He kisses the top of my head, his lips curving in a smile. Fuck, I love this man.

“Open the wine, Elijah.”

“Yes, Miss.”