Chapter 49

CHAPTER 49

L uca

We don't speak as we walk up to the house and into the kitchen. Jackson crosses to the sink and runs his hand under the cold tap.

I feel I need to say something.

"Thank you. No one has ever stood up for me like that before."

"I just wish you hadn't witnessed that. I hoped you'd never have to meet my brother."

"No wonder you were straight!" He exclaims, and his tone makes me laugh. Once I start, I can't stop. He laughs too. It's a release of all the pent-up tension.

"That was Claude, I take it."

"Yeah, but I found his words didn't hurt me anymore—they made me angry."

"That's good. Just don't go around hitting people. It hurts."

I don't think I'm gonna be doing that. Jackson is drying his hand on a towel. I go over and take it in mine, then lift it and kiss his knuckles lightly.

He puts his other arm around me and pulls me close. He kisses me and then says, "I love you Luca, I will always defend you." We kiss again.

"You'd better get back. Anna said the crew wanted a few more pictures."

I decide it's time to see if my plan will work.

"There is something else first."

He looks at me quizzically.

"I don't want you to work for me anymore." His face falls. Why had I phrased it that way? "What I mean to say is. Would you become a partner? In the gardens?"

"Are you sure?" His voice goes very quiet.

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I love you Jackson. I want you to have an equal share in the gardens. They're as much yours as they are mine."

He doesn't say anything, but holds me close for a long while—so long that I think he's going to say no. I pull back and look at him. There are tears running down his face. I can't stand it any longer.

"Please say yes," I whisper.

"Yes," he whispers back, and holds me close again.

After a few more moments, I pull away again.

"Shall we go and face the press crew? We can tell them about our plans for Larchdown."

He beams as he takes my hand and tugs me back out to the gardens.

I've always felt that Jackson looks after me—he's the strong one—but in that moment, I'm pleased I'm able to give him a future too.