Her Ex, Her Future?. Louisa George

that adopting could make up for holding their own child in her arms.

      But now, though, she could see that it was an option. The only one they had really.

      ‘We could think about it,’ he said. ‘At some point. Or not. Whatever you want. I’d rather have you and no children than a family with anyone else. I always did.’

      Ignoring the warmth that swept through her at that, Lily said quietly, ‘You say that now, but what if you change your mind?’

      ‘I won’t.’

      ‘You might.’

      ‘Trust me.’

      ‘And that’s another thing,’ she said, frowning as yet another thing to worry about should she agree to try things again flew into her head. ‘How do I know I can trust you? How do I know that when things get tough, when I go all weird and withdrawn, as I’m bound to from time to time, you won’t go and find comfort with someone else?’

      He reached out and took her into his arms. Pulled her round and back into him, nestling her head beneath his chin. ‘Because we’ll talk,’ he said against her hair as he held her tight. ‘Communicate.’

      ‘Do you think we can?’

      ‘I’ll make sure we do. I won’t let us not.’

      Lily watched a shooting star dart across the sky and felt her heart skip a tiny beat. ‘Is it really that simple?’

      ‘It could be if we take things one day at a time.’

      At the sincerity in his voice and with the warmth and heat of his body wrapped round her Lily found herself hovering.

      Could they make a go of it? Get it right this time? Kit did make it sound simple. And out here, in the velvety isolation of the night, tucked away in their own little bubble, it seemed as if anything was possible.

      But what would it be like when they got back to London? Back to life? Real life. Would they be able to navigate the obstacles of their relationship as well as two busy careers? Not to mention manage the expectations of family and friends. Did they have the strength? The commitment? Did they really have the ability to be open and honest when experience suggested otherwise?

      ‘Look, Lily, I’m not saying it won’t be hard,’ he said quietly, as if able to read her mind. ‘I don’t think we’re always going to have an easy ride. All I know is that I love you and if I do by some miracle get you back I’ll do my damnedest to make it work.’

      At the quiet conviction of his words and with the beat of his heart strong and steady beneath her shoulder she could feel herself falling. ‘I’d need honesty.’

      ‘You’d have it.’

      ‘Always?’

      ‘Always. And I won’t give you any reason not to be able to trust me. Ever.’

      ‘Really?’

      ‘I promise.’

      And just like that down she went, head over heels into a future with him. ‘All right,’ she whispered with her heart in her throat. ‘Let’s do it.’