Not Just for Christmas

Chapter 34

Chapter Thirty-Four

A t a guess, she’d say ten minutes had passed when the quiet knock came at her door. Erin hadn’t moved from the chair by the window and had been trying to figure out her next move. Confronting Lewis felt like the logical thing to do. She could demand to know why he hadn’t told her the truth.

Her mind whizzed back over the last week and she thought of all the opportunities he’d had to tell her, but had chosen not to. Did he think she’d expect elaborate gifts? Or that she’d think differently of him because he had money? Her heart sank as she thought about how he’d spent the whole time keeping secrets.

She’d genuinely thought there could be a future for them.

Now, the last week felt like a scam. He’d said he wanted more than a fling, but he hadn’t been honest with her about who he was.

Another tap came at the door, and Lewis called out to her quietly.

Erin held her breath. She’d let him think she wasn’t there.

He probably had a key and could let himself in, but she didn’t think he’d do that.

Then again, what did she know about him ?

Quietly, she waited for the sound of his footsteps retreating. Only then could she properly breathe again. Burying her face in her hands, she took a few deep breaths.

If she talked to him, she was sure he’d have good reasons for having kept his secret. Presumably, he was used to people treating him differently because of his money and had wanted to get to know her without that in the way.

He still should have told her. When she’d extended her stay to give them more time together, he should have told her then.

Now, everything was a mess.

This was why she had no interest in a relationship. She’d been perfectly content with her life, and he’d swooped in and made her want more. But she wasn’t a person who always needed more. She was perfectly happy with her lot in life.

That needn’t change. She could go back home and it would all be the same. Maybe she’d miss Lewis for a few weeks, but she’d soon forget him.

Tears threatened, but she blinked them away.

Maybe she wouldn’t forget him, but he could just be a fond memory – possibly even a funny story once she’d gotten over the deceit.

Feeling decisive, she stood and surveyed the room. Then she began shoving things haphazardly into her suitcase and contemplating the chances of being able to sneak out of the hotel without Lewis seeing her.

Her phone rang twice while she was packing and she ignored it both times. Lewis followed up with a message asking where she was. He was going to walk Molly and asked if she wanted to go with them. He told her to call him.

With her heart pounding, she crept to the window, keeping herself out of sight behind the curtain. A few minutes later, Lewis stepped out onto the street with Molly by his side. He ruffled the fur on her head, then set off along the road.

It didn’t matter anyway, Erin told herself. It had been a fun holiday romance, but it was over now and it didn’t matter.

It didn’t matter that she wouldn’t see him again, because she had a nice life with good friends and a job which she enjoyed and a flat which was cosy and homely.

She absolutely didn’t need Lewis in her life.

A tear slipped down her cheek as she watched him walk away. Once he was out of sight, she pushed the tears from her cheeks and shot into action. He should be gone for half an hour at least, which gave her time to get as far away from Chipping Campden as possible.

After summoning a taxi through her app, she waited at the window until the car pulled up outside. That should give her the best chance of slipping away unnoticed.

She almost made it. The only member of staff she encountered on her way out was Ivy, and she was busy chatting with a couple of women at the front desk.

The taxi driver gave her a friendly smile and took her case from her.

“Where are you going?” Ivy called, stepping outside just as Erin had put a foot in the car.

So close, she thought, her heart absolutely charging. “I’m leaving,” she said curtly. “Goodbye.”

“Wait!” Ivy rushed towards the car. “What do you mean, you’re leaving? Where are you going?”

“I’m going home. Back to London.”

“Does Lewis know? Because he was looking for you earlier.”

“I guess he’ll figure it out.” She supposed the good thing about it being Ivy who’d interrupted her getaway was that she probably wouldn’t be in any rush to tell him. She could tell him once Erin was long gone and then be there to comfort him.

Erin pushed that thought aside and slipped into the seat.

When she pulled the door closed, she was met with resistance .

“I’m guessing he doesn’t know you’re leaving?” Ivy asked angrily. “You’re just leaving without saying anything?”

“It turns out there’s a lot that he didn’t tell me, so I don’t think I need to feel too guilty about this one thing.” She made a feeble attempt to close the door again, but Ivy had a firm hold.

“What are you talking about?” she asked, fiery determination in her eyes that said Erin wouldn’t be going anywhere until she explained.

“I just found out that he owns the hotel,” she sniped. “And that he won the lottery.”

Ivy stared at her. “You’re leaving because of that?”

“Yes.”

Ivy rubbed a hand across her forehead. “So you didn’t know already?”

“No. He didn’t tell me. I spent all this time with him and he didn’t think it was worth mentioning.” She dragged in a ragged breath. “Does everyone know he was keeping it from me? Have you all been having a laugh behind my back?”

She shook her head. “It wouldn’t even be funny, would it? I mean, if you thought he was a millionaire and he was secretly penniless, then I could see your issue but I’m not sure why it matters that you didn’t know.”

“Because he hasn’t been honest with me. I thought he was just a normal guy who works in a hotel.”

“He is a normal guy.” She frowned. “He’s a really good guy. You can’t just leave without saying anything.”

“I can and I will, and to be honest, I’m surprised you care. You made it pretty clear that you didn’t like me spending time with him.”

Ivy winced. “Only because I thought you already knew about the money.”

“I had no idea.”

“I see that now, but I thought you were playing this whole innocent act to get close to him… and get to his money. ”

“No.” Erin bit down on her bottom lip. “I didn’t know until an hour ago.”

“I don’t understand why you’re leaving.”

“Because he hasn’t been honest with me.”

“Yes, but about being a millionaire! I feel as though that’s fairly easy to forgive.”

“But I don’t care about the money. It makes absolutely no difference to me. What I care about is being with someone who I can trust and who doesn’t keep secrets.”

“I totally get what you’re saying, and in other circumstances, I’d agree. But it’s not a terrible secret, is it… twenty-six million in the bank? Ask him to buy you a few diamonds as an apology and move on!”

Erin almost laughed. Almost, but not quite.

“Can you do me a favour?” she said. “I know you don’t really like me, but can you please not call Lewis right away? Give me a chance to get on a train before you tell him. When I’m too far away for him to follow.”

Ivy looked torn. “Can’t you stay and talk to him? I know I haven’t been very friendly, but I thought you were another gold digger. If you genuinely didn’t know, then you’re actually kind of perfect for him. Plus, he’s been really happy since he met you, and I’d like him to be happy.”

“I just want to get home and sort my head out,” Erin said. “Maybe it was only destined to be a fling. We’ve only known each other for a week, so I can’t imagine he’ll be that heartbroken.” As she said it, she hoped it wasn’t true. She hoped she hadn’t imagined the connection between them, even if it wasn’t destined to go anywhere. She looked pleadingly at Ivy until she removed her hand from the door.

“Get home safely,” she whispered as she closed the door.

Erin looked up at the hotel as the car moved away and felt the desperate weight of disappointment pressing on her chest.