Chapter 24

Iris was laying in her bed under her thick duvet, lost deep in her thoughts. Her doorbell startled her and made her jump. The doorbell rang again. She knew it in the pit of her stomach it was Hugh. No one else would come to her place, especially at this time. 

She paced towards the door and inhaled sharply. As she opened the door, she saw Hugh standing right outside covered in snow with a flower bouquet in his hand which had snow filled inside its plastic and on the flowers. She tried to fight back her tears, but she couldn't. Her stomach was tied in knots.

Hugh looked at his flower bouquet and yanked all the snow from it and held it out to Iris. He looked at her with puppy eyes and said, "I'm sorry. Forgive me, please." 

Iris smiled through the tears and nodded. She took the bouquet from his hand touched it on her cheek. "Thank you," she whispered. 

She opened the door wider, and Hugh came inside. 

"I was such a fool. I am really sorry Iris." Hugh said through trembling lips. 

"Jesus, Hugh. You're shivering." She brushed off the snow particles from his hair and shoulders. 

"Take off your jacket and sit in front of the fire. I'll be right back," Iris said and kept the flower bouquet on the dining table. She went to her bedroom and took out a fresh towel from her cupboard and walked out into the living room. 

Hugh was warming his hands and was still shivering. 

Iris started to rub his hair with the towel. "You've got to stop doing this. Why did you walk in the snow again?" she scolded. 

"My car broke down, so I had to walk. I couldn't live with myself knowing that I've hurt your feelings," Hugh said. 

Iris's heart wanted to jump out of her chest. She didn't speak and kept drying his hair. 

"Thank you," Hugh murmured. 

He held Iris's hand and made her sit next to him. She sat and threw the towel on the couch.

Hugh looked at her and traced a cool finger on her cheekbone. Iris gasped but didn't take her eyes off his face. 

Her face was flushed. The tears pooled in her ocean blue eyes. Hugh stroked his cool finger on her cheekbone again and Iris closed her eyes and exhaled. A teardrop rolled down her face. Hugh brushed it off with his thumb. 

"I'm here now," he whispered. 

Iris nodded softly. Hugh's lips curved into a smile and he planted a soft kiss on her forehead. 

Iris could feel her heart pound as his smooth lips touched her skin. Hugh placed a finger under her chin and coxed her face up. 

"Can I tell you something?" Hugh asked. 

"Yes," she replied softly. 

Hugh took a deep breath. He looked in her eyes and Iris creased her brows. 

Hugh exhaled and looked down. 

"What is it?" Iris asked. 

"Ummm...I...I really like you, Iris." He said nervously.

A gasp escaped her lips. Her eyes widened. "Really?" she whispered. 

Hugh nodded with a smile. 

Iris smiled through the tears and covered her face in her palms. 

Hugh wrapped his hands around her and kissed her hair. 

She curled her hands around Hugh's torso and held him. She couldn't stop sobbing. 

Hugh kissed her hair again and whispered in her ear, "Iris, don't ever leave me." 

She held him tight. She was delirious. The only thing that was missing from her life was sitting right next to her. 

She pulled away from him but couldn't look at his face. 

Hugh looked at his hand and then took off his wedding ring. Iris looked at him with wide eyes. 

"Hugh, what are you doing?" She asked. 

"Moving on. With you. I'm finally letting Oliv go. I'm never going to wear this ring again." Hugh said and kept the ring inside his pocket. 

Iris stared at him still trying to process if whatever was happening was real. 

"I can't believe it," Iris muttered. 

Hugh touched his forehead to hers. "I've never felt this way about anyone in three years. I'm not letting it go this time. Be mine? Please?" 

A chuckle escaped Iris's lips. It was all still like a dream to her. She threw her arms around Hugh's neck and whispered, "Yes." 

Hugh took her in a hug.

After snuggling up with each other near the fire Iris got on her toes. "I should make some tea for you." 

"No," Hugh said and looked at the wall clock. "It's 11:30, we should start with some wine." 

"Oops..." Iris crumpled her face. "I'm out of wine." 

"Oh! I should have brought it with me," Hugh shook his head. 

"Well, I have rum," Iris said with a smile. 

Hugh looked at her and got on his toes as well. "I'd like that." He said and kissed Iris's forehead.

She placed her hand on her heart waiting for it to steady its rhythm. It wasn't going to be easy for her to keep her heart functioning normally every time Hugh touched or kissed her. She never knew how it felt to be kissed before. How it felt to be in the arms of a man. It was all new and she couldn't contain her heart. 

"I'll bring it," she said and went into the kitchen. She brought two glasses and Coke with the rum. 

"This is what I get drunk on every Christmas and New Year and pass out on the couch," she said shyly. 

Hugh chucked. "Really?" 

"Yes. It's affordable," Iris shrugged. 

Hugh laughed. "I'm never going to forget this night," he said and filled their glasses. 

Iris could feel the blood rush to her cheeks. They clicked their glasses and sipped the rum. 

Hugh pulled his brows together, "Wow. This tastes good," he said sarcastically, and Iris laughed.

"Hugh, are you sure about what you said earlier?" Iris asked. 

"What?" 

"That you want to be with me, and you took off your ring."

Hugh placed his hand on hers. "I don't want even a single day to go without seeing you, Iris. I came here because I realized how much I've fallen for you. I didn't care about the storm or cold. All I wanted to do was, get here and see you. You are the most beautiful girl I've seen."