Page 141 of Ask Me Something

His mouth twitched in amusement. “You could dissect Cinderella or any of those other princess chicks. They all have flaws.”

My brow arched. “Did you just call Cinderella a chick?”

He chuckled. “Yes. And I’d argue, in my completely unqualified opinion, that her being a grown-ass woman and letting her stepmother and stepsisters abuse her speaks of a deep issue with self-worth. Think about it. Why didn’t she move out and get a job that paid?”

“Are you really psychoanalyzing Cinderella?” I smiled through the tears.

“If it makes you feel better, I’ll go through all of them. Sleeping Beauty couldn’t stay away from a simple needle on a spinning wheel? Seriously?”

I burst out laughing.

He kissed my nose playfully. “I love hearing that sound. My point isn’t that I’m trying to bash princesses but that we all have flaws, and finding out that you have some is frankly a relief.”

“That’s the second time I’ve heard that in the last twenty-four hours. My sister said the same thing. It dawned on me that may be the reason Juliette hasn’t reached out to me.”

He shrugged. “You’d have to ask her, but I do know it’s hard to admit faults to someone who doesn’t appear to have any.”

“That’s my line for you. By the way I’ve had a therapist since I was sixteen. I only see her about twice a year, but I do have someone.” Suddenly I didn’t mind telling him all of it.

He winced. “I shouldn’t have suggested that you needed to see someone. It wasn’t my place.”

“I blindsided you with a lot of information on Saturday, and you were only trying to help. I felt like, with all of my issues, I didn’t deserve you.” Admitting this out loud was the hardest thing I’d ever done.

“Honey, I almost hate to burst this misconception that I don’t have my own issues, but in addition to never admitting my insecurity about working for my best friend, it’s pretty damn clear that I’m the one who’s screwed up the most in this relationship. If there is anyone who doesn’t deserve someone, it’s me not deserving you or a second chance for the fourth time.”

It was a tremendous relief that he didn’t see me as less for having an anxiety disorder. “It bothers me that I made you feel like you had to call Vanessa on Saturday.”

“That’s not your fault. My calling her on Saturday is more attributable to the fact that I can’t stand it when issues are left unresolved. Another flaw in case you’re counting. And it’s the reason I couldn’t be reminded about work over the weekend. I was already on edge, wanting to repair it.”

“I’d resent you if you tried to fix me.” My voice was barely a whisper. There was so much hanging on his response.

“I’ve never seen you as broken, honey. I may not know everything about your history, but anything you could tell me is something I’d accept because I already love you. All of you, unconditionally. What you may consider an imperfection only makes you more perfect for me.”

His hands skimmed down my back, and he captured my lips in a consuming kiss.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to me. “That girl who moved away that you said you may have loved.”

He grinned sheepishly. “It was you. It’s always been you.” He buried his face in my neck and inhaled my scent deeply.

“We’re in the chapel,” I reluctantly protested, feeling his lips run behind my ear, halfway tempted to continue this despite that fact.

He groaned in objection but leaned back. “Come on, our friends are having a baby. We’ll continue this later, though.”

I nodded, taking his hand and going with him back into the waiting room.

* * *

Abigail Marie Singermade her way into the world approximately one hour later. Friends and family were on their way from all over the country, but for now only Brian and I were going into the room to see the happy couple and their new baby.

“We won’t stay long,” Brian said softly, peeking at the tiny little face cradled currently in Josh’s arms.

I walked over to the hospital bed and hugged Haylee. She looked absolutely beautiful despite only just giving birth. Considering that most women ended up with hours upon hours of labor, I couldn’t believe it had happened so quickly. “She didn’t waste any time coming into the world, did she?”

Haylee blushed, and Josh gave her a half attempt at a disapproving look. “Seeing as her mother had been in labor since this morning and didn’t say anything for hours, it’s a wonder we made it to the hospital in time.”

My eyes widened, and Haylee shrugged. “Josh had a lot of critical things happening today and was under enough stress already. She was content to wait until everything was resolved.”

Oh, shit. Brian and I shared a look that conveyed our mutual horror that we were partially to blame.

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