Shadows and Stars ✔

Chapter Seventy Four

After what feels like five days full of sleeping, eating, dealing with my low moods, fighting my irritability and lying in Grayson's arms, by Friday, I'm finally feeling my normal self again.

Of course Grayson was right; there was no way I could have faced this week at work, and not to mention taking assessments at the University—I feel stupid for even thinking that I would have been fine to bounce back so quickly.

Clearly Grayson is clued up on the after-effects of drugs. I roll my eyes at the thought, but I'm grateful for his support this week.

     "How are you feeling?" Grayson asks when he walks through the door with bags of groceries in each hand.

I smile, sitting up from the comfort of Grayson's sofa. "I feel great," I say, relieved that I'm finally over the aftermath of the traumatic events.

"Good—I'm glad." He smiles, wrapping his arm around me from behind and kissing me softly on my cheek. "I'll take you home in a bit."

I nod, running my fingers through the soft of his hair. I'm looking forward to going back home; to spend some time with Hailey, and to return to some sort of normality—but equally I'm sad to be leaving Grayson's full time company.

"I'll miss you," I murmur, turning to plant a kiss onto his plump lips.

"Me too...baby."

After Grayson unpacks the groceries and we share a tub of strawberry ice-cream, I throw Grayson's hoodie over myself and slide on my trainers, watching as the sky grows dark outside.

     "You ready?" Grayson asks, spinning his car keys around on his finger.

     "Yeah," I mumble flatly, picking my bags from the floor and placing them into Grayson's open hand.

He smiles. "Then let's go."

It feels nice to get some fresh air into my lungs again after being cooped up inside for a week, but I shiver as the bitter winds thrash about the car park; I definitely haven't missed the weather.

In the car, I turn in my seat, saying, "Thanks for everything you did for me this week. I'm glad I had you to get me through it."

Grayson smiles, exhaling as he looks to his knees.
"It goes without saying, Mia. There was no way of knowing how you would react to it. I'm just glad you're okay."

I twist my lip. "Well, thank you."

Placing my hand against Grayson's knee, I watch as he edges out into the city, trying to swallow the painful lump that's gathered in my throat at the thought of leaving him after all this time—even though we will more than likely see each other again very soon.

Come on Mia, get a grip.

Trying to push the sadness away, I watch through the car window as the bright lights of London blur into one against the dark, starry sky, and admiring how the rows and rows of buildings glow gently next to one another.

I'm still so in love with this place.

And I'm in love with him.

Drawing me away from my gaze, Grayson turns down a narrow road. He pulls up into a small lay-by and shuts off the engine.

Huh?

I look to him, confused. "Where are we?"

Grayson doesn't answer, instead he undoes his and my seatbelt and places a kiss onto the back of my hand. "Come with me," he says, opening his door and stepping out.

I oblige, smiling as I step into the cold night and fixing my hand to his.

     "Grayson, what are we doing?" I giggle, trying to keep up as he leads me up a set of steps. But before I can pry further, we emerge out onto the side of the River Thames, with Tower Bridge just to the left of us.

     "Oh my God," I croak, stunned as I gaze at the large bridge so close to us, how it's mirrored in the soft flowing waters of the river below.

     "Come on," Grayson murmurs, pulling me onto the bridge.

I follow, my cheeks tingling with both excitement and coldness. "We definitely don't walk across this bridge enough," I laugh, my mouth ajar as Grayson leads us to the centre.

Save the odd car that drives past, the area is surprisingly quiet tonight.

      "I just wanted to show you the view," Grayson says, stopping me as we reach the middle, leaning against the edge to stare into the star-lit sky above us.

I turn, joining him at his side. "It really is wonderful."

I'm starting to love how Grayson knows the best spots for an epic view of the city.

I look to him, watching as the moonlight decorates his dark eyes with a small shimmer, but also sensing that he's still fighting a battle within himself.

"Hey," I place my hand against his. "Are you okay?"

He exhales, dropping his head as he turns to face me. With hesitation, he grips both of my cold hands within his.

"Mia," Grayson sighs. "I just want you to know how very special you are to me." He takes a longer than usual breath. "And how so goddamn lucky I am that you stumbled into the staff room that night at Plasma."

I giggle, remembering our first encounter; who would have thought it would have lead to something so amazing?

"Me too," I say, soothed by the tranquil sounds of the flowing water below us.

Grayson closes the gap between us, resting his forehead against mine. "And I want you to know how much I love you, and care for you," he continues. "And how bloody perfect you are."

I tilt my head, wondering where this is going.

"Where is this coming from, Grayson?" I move my hands to his chest, feeling all too well his strong heartbeat underneath.

He sighs some more, but his eyes flicker with sadness.

"Grayson, hey," I croak. "Are you sure you're okay?" I've never seen him so nervous, given how he's usually always such a confident character.

He nods, forcing a smile onto his face. "Anyway," he continues, nervously swiping his tongue between his lips. "I promised you that I would never let you get hurt again, and...I intend to keep that promise."

I quirk my eyebrow. "I know, Grayson, I know."

His hands are shaking against my arms, though I'm unsure if it's down to the cold or because of his nerves.

Sucking in a breath, he says, "Mia. It's because I love you so goddamn much, and because I want to protect you from any further danger, that I—" His voice trails off, and he looks to the ground.

"That you, what Grayson?" I press, my body now shaking underneath me. "That you, what?"

His eyes are wide, studying me as he finds his voice.

Dragging an almighty breath, he looks to me with broken eyes, his lips quivering when he says, "That I have to let you go."