Bewitched in Budapest (Xcite Romance) by Justine Elyot

wanted to say was I really hope I can help you with that.
    But how could I? I couldn’t stay in Budapest. I had a job and parents and student loans and rental agreements all waiting for me back in England. Not to mention … a past. This might be a fairy tale romance, but it was unlikely to end with me living happily ever after.
    At the corner of Jodie’s street, I found myself saying, with explosive spontaneity, ‘God, I really do like you a lot. I really do, you know.’
    He stopped walking, laughed, took me in his arms. ‘Of course I do too,’ he said. ‘You are my ruby, my little red jewel.’
    ‘Not really red.’
    ‘Not really red,’ he conceded. ‘But beautiful.’
    Nobody had ever called me that. ‘Don’t be daft. I’m not beautiful.’
    He tutted, tapped my nose with an admonitory finger. ‘You don’t say bad about yourself.’
    ‘I’m not in your house any more.’
    ‘No, but I own a house in this street, so the rule is still, er …’
    ‘It still stands?’
    ‘Yes.’
    We walked on to the door of the building. I looked up, trying to work out what might be happening inside the balcony doors, but there was no clue there in the twisted wrought iron.
    Climbing the stairs, I began to breathe heavily, suddenly more fearful than ever. Was Jodie being held hostage, locked in an airing cupboard? Was the flat full of terrorists? Sensing my anxiety, János unlocked the door himself and entered the flat first. I waited a couple of seconds before following him.
    The first thing I heard was Jodie’s strident moan of, ‘Oh, fuck off, János, this isn’t the time. Could you come back later? Much later?’
    Then János said, ‘Who is this?’
    I had to go in then.
    ‘Oh God,’ I said, stepping back towards the open doorway.
    ‘Ruby, thank God you’re OK.’
    ‘What the hell are you doing here? Who told you I was in Budapest?’
    Jodie half-raised a sheepish hand. ‘That’d be me.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘She’s been worried about you.’ Dave’s sanctimonious voice made me want to punch out his perfectly flossed teeth. ‘Everyone’s been worried about you. You’re acting completely out of character.’
    I hadn’t forgotten that János stood beside me, his height shadowing me reassuringly. It helped that he was here, and at the same time, it made everything worse.
    ‘This is who you didn’t marry?’ he asked suddenly, waving a hand at Dave.
    ‘Yes, I’m her fiancé.’ That nasal, pompous tone. What on earth did I ever see in him? ‘Who, may I ask, are you?’
    ‘You’re my ex-fiancé,’ I said between gritted teeth. ‘And this is my … Jodie’s landlord.’
    Angry as I was with Dave, I resisted the temptation to fling my new lover in his face. It would only muddy the waters. I needed my message to be clear and consistent. It’s over. Go home.
    I hoped János would understand this, but the slightly crumpled cast of his brow suggested he didn’t. I could explain later.
    ‘Oh!’ said Dave. ‘The one Jodie told me about. The one that’s been trying to seduce you! You can keep your hands off. She’s not available.’
    ‘Yes I am!’ It was getting much harder to sound calm and rational. ‘Yes I am available, Dave! I am single. You and I are not getting back together. Not ever.’
    Dave took a breath, visibly steadying himself. What a weaselly dweeb he looked. I knew I should be the bigger person, be sympathetic and kind, because I had hurt him, after all. But he wasn’t making it easy.
    ‘Look, love, sit down and let’s talk about this sensibly. You know, deep down, that you panicked and ran away. We can sort out the panic. You can see a therapist about your commitment-phobia. We can sign up for couples counselling. All I want is to take care of you, Rube, and get us back on track.’
    ‘Why? Why would you want me back, after the way I’ve treated you?’
    ‘It’s OK, Ruby, I forgive you. The vendors still haven’t got another buyer for the house in Watkin Street. We could