Page 61 of Faking it With A Grumpy Billionaire

“I don’t know, Will. I don’t even know what I want.”

“I understand, Elizabeth. Trust me, I sincerely do, and I’m not rushing you or requesting that you give me feedback now. All I’m asking for is your forgiveness—that’s all, Elizabeth. I just want us to be friends again, at least. Being apart from you in this manner is killing me inside.”

I could feel Will’s sincerity, and it got me moved, to be honest. I guess forgiving him was not such a terrible idea. After all, it’s not like he directly offended me.

“I believe you,” I finally managed to speak as I played with my hands anxiously.

“You do?”

“Yes, I do, and I forgive you,” I said, finally releasing the weight from my chest as I let out a soft breath.

Chapter twenty-eight

Will

As I sat on her couch, my anxiety still in full force, I poured out my feelings to Elizabeth, hoping she would at least consider us being friends again. For now, that seemed manageable before working my way into being her partner for real.

“I believe you,” she said.

“You do?” I asked.

“Yes, I do, and I forgive you.”

“Oh my, thank you so much, Liz. Thank you! I promise you’ll never regret this choice,” I said with joy.

“I hope I don’t,” Elizabeth whispered to herself, though I could still overhear her slightly.

I watched her look at her fingers as I thought of how I could best reassure her. I dipped my hands in my pocket to take out her engagement ring. Holding it in my hand, I thought well about what I was about to do before standing up from my seat and proceeding to kneel in front of her.

“What are you doing?” Elizabeth asked.

I could see the look of confusion on her face. She was clearly wondering why and what I was doing. I wasn’t sure myself what it was that I was doing, but one thing was certain—I could not imagine life without Elizabeth. It just didn’t make sense.

“I . . . umm . . . I know you might have your reservations, and you’re probably worried that I might not be the kind of man you want, especially emotionally. You’re probably worried I might hurt you again, but I want to reassure you right now, right here, Elizabeth. You’re the one I want. It is you my heart beats for. And trust me, I’m not saying these words because they sound nice. I’m saying them because that is how I feel.”

My heart raced once again, picking up where it left off. “I . . .” I paused to take a deep breath as I looked at Liz and tried to put my words together. “I don’t want to do this life without you. I want it to be you and me together—this time, not as a fake couple or contract-based. But . . . but this time for real.”

I saw the surprise on her face as she sat up, looking at me. I needed her to know how serious I was, and right now, this was the only way I could do it.

“Will . . .”

“I know, I know that we are just resolving our issues and sorting things out, and I’m not putting any pressure on you. So if you reject me right now, I would not take it.”

“Will!”

I paused as her hands touched my face, sending jolts of electricity down my body. I never knew a single touch could make me react in this manner. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before reopening them to see her beautiful face, her bright and shiny eyes filled with warmth and love. Her warmth seemed to be the perfect balance for my coldness. Elizabeth was just what I needed.

“I love you too, Will,” I heard her say, and I could barely believe it.

“Are you sure? Are you . . . I mean, I don’t want to pressure you into saying it back or anything.”

“Shh . . . listen to me, Will.”

I kept quiet as I followed her lead, watching her as tears began to gather around her eyes.

“I love you too, Will, and sometimes it hurts, but then I guess that’s what makes it love. And I know you might not believe it, but I meant it when I said I forgive you. I want you too. I want to be by your side at your parties, warding off all of those ladies and telling them to back off my man.”

I burst out laughing at her knack for cracking jokes even while expressing her love for me.

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