For Both Are Infinite (Hearts in London Book 1) by Stephanie Alba Read Free Book Online

attentiveness, I failed to form words and blurted out my thoughts. “No one’s ever apologized like that in two years. I mean for me , and not Aaron’s death.”
    Rhys tilted his head slightly. “Well, it’s true. You didn’t just lose him, you lost a little of yourself. It seems you’ve moved here to find yourself again, yes?”
    I agreed as I discovered the peculiar sensation to have someone you barely know suddenly understand everything about you.
    “Thank you,” I whispered.
    “For what, dear?” he asked, his brows furrowed in bewilderment over his blue eyes.
    “For understanding.”
    ∞
    We continued stretching in silence and finished at about the same pace. Rhys stood up and again I couldn’t resist glancing at his perfect physique. Reaching out his hand, he pulled me to my feet in a jolting motion that brought me intimately close to his body, and I had to subtly take a step back to meet his gaze. He was at least six to seven inches taller than me, and I felt oddly short considering my tall height.
    In revealing my secret, an ease seemed to have washed over me. I was surprised to have control of my nerves that left me feeling bare and discovered, but unfortunately it didn’t last long. My anxiety flared. I noticed him glancing at my exposed waist, so I placed my hand there in a pathetic attempt to cover up. He noticed discomfort, glanced up and asked, “Are you going home now?”
    “Yeah.”
    “May I accompany you?” he asked.
    I couldn’t exactly refuse his charming gesture.
    Aaron and I moved in together just after college graduation, so it had been years since I’d been walked home. Walking by Rhys’ side was surreal, not because of his fame, but because a man was escorting me. I’m sure any other woman in my place would be star-struck or fan-girling, but I was flushed for entirely different reasons.
    Thankfully, my flat wasn’t too far from the park so I had escape close by. I slipped my tank back on as we walked, sensing his obvious disappointment, convinced he'd been enjoying the view. We crossed the street in matching pace before he initiated conversation again. “Can I ask a few questions?”
    "Sure."
    “Why London?”
    “It was somewhere I had always wanted to live. It was also the easiest transition as far as language and culture goes, plus it’s only six hours from home, but a train ride everywhere else.”
    “Is this situation the reason you don’t want to go home?”
    “Basically. It’s a pity fest and while I appreciate people caring, it’s hard to move forward and be mildly normal when it’s a constant pouring of emotions. I Skype my parents and friend, Anne, often though.”
    “I got the impression you disliked them since you mentioned you don’t go home often.”
    “No, I love them. They got me through the hardest setback. It was dark there for a while and they did everything for me: they cleaned out our apartment, helped his parents with funeral arrangements, everything. I just can’t hide out when I’m home, so it’s easier hiding here.”
    “I get it,” he nodded, pressing his faint pink lips into a contemplative line.
    Hearing those three simple words made me glad to have told him, and it was freeing, a sensation I didn’t expect. I’m sure he felt similar relief in understanding more pieces of my puzzle. It was natural with him, and as we neared my place I forced myself to tell him before I could chicken out.
    “I’m glad you know now, it makes it easier. I didn’t think it would.”
    Rhys looked over to me with smiling eyes. “That makes me so happy. I’m glad you’re comfortable talking about it with me, truly.”
    He looked forward suppressing a small smile, and I started believing that Rhys and I could be friends despite my previous judgment. We got to my building a few minutes after that, and I wrestled with myself. I didn’t want him to come up; my apartment was my sanctuary, but I also didn’t want him to leave. He leaned closely to me, a