Page 28 of Romi

The SUV pulled up and I flew down the stairs to meet it. As soon as Ash got out of the car I ran at him and hugged him tightly.

He cursed in Russian and gasped, “Bloody hell, Sonia, I already have broken ribs, can you please not break anymore?”

“Sorry,” I said, feeling a bit contrite as I loosened my grip. Then I thought of how the idiot could have gotten himself killed and that made me annoyed.

“At least you only got some broken ribs and a beating, you could have been killed!” I pursed my lips and punched him in the arm.

“Hey!” he shouted, feigning pain.

“Next time, don’t go meeting folk alone, even if it is because you don’t want a chaperone when you go courting!” I laughed, then winked at Gracie.

“Quiet, Sonia!” Ash said wincing.

I looked between them and smirked.

“Ah, I take it Gracie doesn’t know you put yourself in danger so you could go to see her and ask her out without an audience then. Oh, and I guess you haven’t apologised yet either? Huh?” I asked him, innocently batting my eyes.

Ash looked uncomfortable as Gracie raised her eyebrows in question at him.

“I hadn’t gotten around to telling her yet!” he stated sulkily.

“No time like the present!” I smirked wickedly at him as he narrowed his eyes at me. Oh, if looks could kill, I’d be dead!

“Fine,” he said, turning towards her, “Gracie, after last weekend I felt I owed you an apology for my behaviour. I had stuff on my mind, and I acted like a jerk…”

“You can say that again,” I butted in, and he shot me another annoyed look.

“Anyway, I’m sorry,” he smiled sheepishly at Gracie.

“That’s okay,” she smiled shyly back at him, and he grinned and pulled her close.

Aw, that was so sweet!

“He has also been obsessed with you since your cream-covered kiss, which we all heard a lot about by the way, and he tracked you down to working in the Old Bell Tavern so he could ask you out,” I told her, happily spilling all of his secrets.

“Oh, I’m flattered,” Gracie stated, blushing.

“Good, Ash needs someone who can bring out the fun in him again and give his life a bit of excitement!” I laughed and winked at him thoroughly enjoying myself at his expense.

“I’m not so sure about that, I think it is more a case that your brother has brought quite a lot of excitement to mine!” she laughed.

“And I intend to bring a lot more,” I heard him whisper.

Oh, my brother had it bad! I loved seeing him happy. I was so glad he seemed to be falling for his Little Miss Hot Mess, and not just for his own sake, but for those selfish reasons of my own too.

Grinning widely, I gave Gracie a big hug.

“Thank you so much for rescuing my brother,” I whispered.

“You’re welcome,” she replied quietly, with a shy smile.

I doubted she understood the full implication of my words. I was not just talking about last night. I could already see the effect she was having on him. He was more like the man he used to be before Krissa was murdered and I was very grateful to Gracie for bringing back that side of him. I liked her a lot and actually thought we were similar in many ways because one minute we were shy and the next sassy. We were going to be very good friends I could tell.

When I had come out to greet them, I’d deliberately stood in the doorway to ensure Romi could not slip by us. Just as well because when Ash and Gracie went inside, he made to do just that.

Uh uh, I don’t bloody think so, Romi!

Quickly stepping in front of him, I blocked his way.