Free Cherished: Love in London Series 2 by Demelza Watts Page B

“Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry, hon, I think it’s the Theo effect.” She laughed as Amber raised her eyebrow in question. Beth shrugged and waved her hand. “I have to be quite strong around him as he treats me like cotton wool. I keep telling him I’m a big girl.” She looked exasperated, but Amber knew just how in love they were with each other. Theo was extremely protective of her. “Enough about me.” She took Amber’s hand. “Tell me what happened, Ambs. I’ve never heard or seen you so upset – especially over a guy.”
    Amber told her everything. From their night together just over couple of weeks back to everything that happened over the weekend. Beth listened carefully, without interrupting her. When Amber finished speaking, she considered her carefully.
    “Amber, do you think you may have properly fallen for him? Because I think you have, hon. I see love written all over your face when you speak of Nico.” She smiled softly at Amber, sensitive to the fact that this wasn’t what she wanted to hear.
    “Why does everyone keep saying that? First, Mia, then you…?” She trailed off, throwing her arms up into the air as she reached for her glass.
    “Amber, listen to me okay? I’ve known you practically all our lives, right?”
    Amber nodded in agreement as Beth continued.
    “Sweetie, I know you had a shitty life growing up with your dad and the numerous affairs your mum put up with.” Beth’s eyes filled with tears at the memories of a young Amber too scared to stay at home and witness the constant fights between her parents. “But, have you ever thought that maybe you’ve somehow closed yourself off to love?”
    Amber sniffed as her eyes welled up. “I won’t be a doormat like mum,” she whispered.
    “You’re not anything like your mum, Amber! Look at you. You’re beautiful, you are strong, you have an amazing career….how could anyone ever walk over you?”
    “Nico Moretti could,” she burst out.
    Beth exhaled softly. “Amber, how do you know if you won’t even give him a chance?”
    Amber’s tears ran down her cheeks. “Because he’s a womaniser, B,” she cried out. “Because I see him with a different girl every week. How could he possibly stay committed to me?” She shook her head, roughly wiping away her tears. “I’d just be living my mum’s life. And I won’t do that.”
    They sat in silence for a few minutes whilst each processed their thoughts. Beth stood up and went to dial for a take-away whilst they talked about other lighter subjects for a few minutes. When the food arrived, they sat at the table and Amber was reminded of how Nico had sat there in the same seat a week ago. How much had changed in the space of a week. Her heart actually felt like it was hurting.
    Lost in her thoughts, Beth spoke. “You know, I understand just how you feel about the womanizing part.” She looked away, glancing into the distance. “Remember how I cried on your shoulder the same way? I worked for Theo so I actually had the pleasure of planning his dates.”
    She scrunched her nose, grimacing at the memory. “I was also hesitant like you, Amber. Could I really trust him? As you know, it took us a little while to get there, but I can tell you now, that I worried for nothing. And I really think it will be the same for you and Nico. Give it a bit of time. If it’s meant to be, he’ll fight for you.” She looked earnestly at Amber. “But you have got to learn to trust too, hon. Not all men are like your father. Neither of our men were or are married with a kid at home, playing away.”
    Amber nodded silently as Beth continued. “If he fights for you, like I think he will, then at least give him a chance. Don’t penalise him for something he hasn’t even done.”

10
    T he next few days seemed to go by in a blur for Amber. She concentrated on rectifying the design work at his penthouse in Notting Hill. Looking around when she arrived on Monday morning after collecting the