India was thinking about Eunice and Joan as Gina’s lift whisked her up to floor 17. When they were done with filming, she’d told them to get whatever they wanted from the hotel restaurant and bar, that she’d pick up the tab. She hoped they were making up for lost time right now, living it up. Being in the same space as them had felt like she was intruding. Disturbing their delicately poised universe. The force between them was bigger than anyone else in the room, and it was magical to experience. India was thrilled she’d played a part in bringing them back together and she’d told them so. They’d both blushed. She hoped with all her heart they were still smiling for years to come.
More than that, hearing Eunice and Joan’s story had given her hope for this moment. After all, Joan had forgiven Eunice for leaving her 60 years ago.
“There’s nothing to forgive,” Joan had said, her eyes never leaving Eunice.
India wasn’t expecting Gina’s forgiveness right away, but she hoped she could convince her she wasn’t a player. That what they had was real. Because it was real. India could feel it in every breath she took along the corridor to Gina’s flat.
She knocked on the door, but it was already opening.
Gina was on the other side, her face spelling caution.
“Thanks for letting me up.”
“Neeta told me I didn’t have a choice.”
“Remind me to ship more biscuits to Neeta.” India paused, stuffing a hand in the pocket of her jeans. “I thought about trying to shimmy up your drainpipes in a bid to be romantic. But then I remembered you lived on the 17th floor, and I figured maybe it would be more foolhardy than romantic.”
“Woman dies in a bid to show romance. A proper Shakespearian plot. No matter what I think of you, I don’t want you to die.”
“A good start.” India shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Can I come in?”
Gina stood back, her face stoic.
India walked past her, careful not to touch her on the way. She didn’t want to put a foot wrong now she was in the door.
Everything that had gone before had been erased. Now, India had to show Gina just what she meant to her from scratch. Plus, she had to airbrush Andi out of the picture. She flexed her pitching muscles. India had given the closing speech in countless business meetings throughout her career. She was good at public speaking. Pressure situations were nothing new. However, none had ever had pressure like this. None had ever been this important.
This was her heart on the line.
More than that, her life.
She walked to the window, stepping carefully to ensure nothing was a surprise. She’d already had enough of those today.
But Gina didn’t sit for India’s performance. Instead, she stood at the kitchen counter, her arms folded. “You’re not saying much for someone who’s come all the way here to talk to me.”
India stared out at the Canary Wharf waterway, before turning and facing the prettiest vista of all. Gina.
“You’re right, I’m not. Probably because this is the biggest speech of my life to date.” India ran both hands up and down her sides, then began to talk. “I was going to rehearse this, but I didn’t have time. Today’s been a busy day.”
“I know.” Gina’s stare was detached, cold.
“All I can say about what happened earlier is that I’m sorry.” India held up a hand. “And before you say anything, I know what it looks like. Andi is my ex. She’s been messaging me and turning up to see me. Then she arrives and asks me to marry her.” India stepped towards Gina. “But I did nothing to encourage that. Nothing at all. All I’ve told her is to go away, that we’re over. She’s a bit deluded, and I’m sorry you got caught up in it. But it was a show for Andi, and she thrives on the attention. She wants what she can’t have. If I said I’d marry her, she’d disappear pretty sharpish.”
India took another step towards Gina.
Gina didn’t back away.
She took a deep breath and continued. “But the other key takeaway is that I don’t want to marry her. She’s in the past, a mistake. Plus, over the past few months, I’ve met someone new. Someone unexpected. But someone who’s changed my life for the better, and someone I’ve fallen for completely.”
Three more steps, and India stood in front of Gina.
Gina’s stare softened, but her face was still unsure. “Are you positive nothing’s going on? People generally don’t ask people to marry them without some prior consultation.” There was a wobble in Gina’s voice.
India hated that she was responsible. She took a chance. She took Gina’s hands in hers and kissed them, one at a time.
Gina’s shiver was so strong, it resonated through India.
India allowed a ray of optimism to break through her clouds. Maybe this speech was working better than she ever thought possible.
“Normal people don’t propose when there’s nothing going on. I agree. Andi’s not normal. I’m not going to tell you she’ll never bother me again, because I can’t be sure of that. Our paths might cross. But me and her are done. We were done a long time ago.”
India raised one of Gina’s hands to her lips once more. “If you’re willing to take a chance on me, I’m not playing games.” She looked into Gina’s eyes. She hoped she was communicating all that she needed to. Because when India was this close to Gina, it was impossible not to want the world.
For India, the world started with Gina.
“What do you say? Can we start again?”
India pressed pause on her life while she waited for an answer.
Gina took a deep breath and gave India a fixed stare that told her nothing. Then she took India’s hand and pulled her towards the front door.
“Where are we going?” India frowned as Gina swung it open.
Gina turned, giving India a look that almost made her stop breathing.
India shut up.
“I’ve got a surprise for you. It somehow seems right. If we’re going to try again, you might like it.”
Gina was on board and willing to give her a second chance? India’s heart burst, but she kept quiet. She didn’t want to fuck this up. Today had already done a number on her.
They got in the lift and Gina pressed the button marked RT. She didn’t look at India, but she didn’t need to. Tension licked up the sides of the enclosed space. When the lift announced it was at Rooftop Level, India caved, a smile creeping onto her face. “You have a rooftop?”
Gina finally looked at her. “It’s shared, and it’s normally so windy you might take off, but I was going to show you. Tonight, it seems more than appropriate.”
Gina was showing off her rooftop. This was significant. India was going with it.
She was also not wrong — it was windy. However, they were the only ones up there, and the sun was still to set. Looking out over the rooftops of Canary Wharf was far different to town: this was a more high-level view. The whole of London was laid out before them. But the only piece of London India was currently interested in was standing in front of her, giving her a tired, wary look.
She took hold of Gina’s hand again. “You still haven’t answered my question. Are you giving us another go?”
Gina narrowed her eyes, then gave India a reluctant nod. “I want to. I’ve been a wreck all day long. So long as you promise me no more Andi.”
India shook her head. “We’re completely done and have been for months. I know Andi turning up pressed some cheating buttons on your part, after what happened with Bernie and Sara.”
Gina nodded. “It really did. I’ve had my share of people lying to me. Gaslighting me. I don’t need that in my life anymore.”
“I swear, I’ll never do that to you.” India pressed her hand to her chest. “I had nothing to do with it. I don’t even know how she knew I was there. I didn’t tell her. Do you believe me?” India’s heart lurched as she waited for the answer.
Gina gave her another nod. “I do. Frankie told me it was one of the Pride committee, and Andi used her fame to wheedle the information out of them.” She paused. “But just so we’re clear, nobody else that you know of is likely to ask you to marry them in a very public place?”
Now it was India’s turn to shake her head. “Nobody. Just one crazed ex. All the others are amateurs compared to her.”
Gina’s scorched gaze caught hers. “Good. There’s only so much humiliation a girl can take.”
“I promise, no more public scenes. We can stay in for the rest of our lives if that’s what it takes.”
They stared at each other for a good few moments, India’s breath catching in her chest. They still hadn’t kissed. She desperately wanted to. India leaned forward and took a chance, pressing her lips to Gina’s. The crackle of electricity that sparked between them made her shudder. She snaked an arm around Gina’s waist and pulled her close. When their lips parted, their bodies stayed glued together as the sun beat down on them.
“When you were shouting at me on the bridge earlier, I wasn’t sure this would be the outcome tonight.”
“Neither was I.” Gina pressed her lips back to India’s.
India was happy to call it quits and stay there forever. “How come relationships are so hard sometimes? I’ve never figured it out.”
“My sister says you need the hard bits to appreciate the good. Deferred gratification means you appreciate them more.” Gina paused. “I told her I was happy with just the good, but apparently that’s not how it works.”
“Apparently not.” India licked her lips, running a finger down Gina’s cheek. “But Eunice and Joan showed me today that some things are worth fighting for. I didn’t want to wait 60 years, so here we are.”
Gina blinked. “How did that go? I never even saw them, what with everything else.”
India squeezed her hand. “They’re smitten. Almost like they’ve never been apart. Sometimes, you just know.” She could say more, but she was too nervous to chance it. She’d only just got back into Gina’s good books. “What changed your mind, after you told me to go back to my famous life, to Andi?”
Gina sighed. “A little bit of time to assess. Plus, I spoke to Frankie, to my sister, and I shouted at Bernie and Sara, too.”
“You saw them today as well?”
Gina let out a guttural laugh. “The more the merrier, why not?” She shook her head. “But mostly, it was knowing how I felt when I left you. It’s a feeling that’s never happened to me before. Something raw.” She pressed her palm to India’s chest. “I felt like something had fractured inside me.” She flicked her gaze to India. “I know that’s a big statement, but it’s true.” Gina dipped her head.
But India tipped it back up with the tip of her index finger, making sure she had Gina’s attention. “I don’t scare easily. I’m glad you don’t either. And if you’re worried about telling me you have feelings for me, I have them for you, too. Just so we’re clear, I don’t make a habit of sleeping with my estate agents.”
“Do you have more than one?”
India smiled, shaking her head. “I only need one, she’s perfect. I don’t sleep with someone unless there’s something there.” She stared deep into Gina’s eyes. “There’s been something there since the start with us. The rooftop dates. The hotel kiss. The delicious sex. I’d be an absolute fool to bugger up a connection like we have, which is why I don’t intend to. I’m falling for you, Gina. In fact, it’s already happened. I don’t want to let this go. It feels too important in here.” She tapped her chest. “Inside.”
Gina’s eyes misted over. “I feel it, too.”
“I’m glad.” Another scorching kiss left India breathless. She eyed Gina again. She had no idea how she’d got so lucky, but she wasn’t going to let go. “I do have just one other big question to ask you, one that kept bugging me today after you left.”
Gina frowned. “What’s that?”
“Are you still coming on the Pride bus with me? Because after the dust on today has settled, I want to show the world who I’m going out with — and it’s definitely not Andi Patten.”
India steadied herself. She was going to say it, wasn’t she? They were on a rooftop, after all. Was there anywhere more perfect?
“I’ve fallen in love with you, Nagina Gupta. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”
Gina’s mouth dropped open.
A few seconds ticked past, India’s heartbeat marking every one of them.
Then, Gina’s face softened. “I’ve fallen in love with you, too,” she replied.