Page 58 of Impossible Rapids

Shawn felt helpless. He’d tried to be unselfish and had messed everything up. He could blame his mom and loveless childhood, but that wouldn’t bring Julie back.

Pacing the floor, he prayed for help and ideas and for Julie’s heart to soften and forgiveness he didn’t deserve. He’d hid the truth from the love of his life. What did he think he deserved? She needed space. Would she ever need him again?

Franz came back about half an hour later. Shawn rushed to him. “What did she say? Do I have a chance?”

“She’s hurting. Of course she is. I tried to take the blame, but I don’t know if she really internalized that.” He shrugged. “I’m sorry, son. Keeping my family legacy from Lucas and Arianna became an obsession for me when I knew I’d lose Mercedes. I felt like I owed Grayson, Mercedes, and all my ancestors. I wanted to protect that legacy desperately, and I hurt you and Julie in the process.”

“I understand. I should’ve just told her. I wanted to, but …”

“But I kept asking you to wait. I’m very sorry.”

Shawn hugged the smaller man, this father that he loved. “Thank you for apologizing, but I don’t blame you.” He drew in a breath. “I do have an idea.”

“What’s that?” Franz perked up.

“Do you remember the talk show host Jessie who helped Sutton Smith and Aiden Porter rescue Quaid Raven from his mother?”

“Of course.”

“Do you think she’d do a special feature?”

Franz grinned. “For a billionaire heartthrob with a bunch of drama surrounding his name? Definitely.”

Shawn hoped he was right, and then he hoped Julie would see the feature, and then he hoped she’d somehow forgive him and love him.

Chapter

Eighteen

Julie was conflicted and depressed. Franz had said over and over again that it was his fault Shawn and Mercedes hadn’t told her the truth about their relationship and that Shawn was trying to protect her.

It was too much to process quickly. All the guilt she’d felt for being in love with her best friend’s man. For nothing. All the trust she’d placed in Shawn, her Viking Warrior, her Thor, her Posiedon. Had that been for nothing too?

She soaked in a bubble bath, but even that made her think of Shawn.

Was their relationship and trust irrevocably broken? Could she heal and someday move beyond the pain? She wanted to be with Shawn, but she wanted to come first for him. That wasn’t possible with his promises to Grayson, Franz, and Mercedes taking precedence.

Her phone rang. She jumped, hoping it was him.

“Maryn, my best-looking sister,” her phone chirped.

Julie climbed out of the tub with a sigh, wrapping a towel around her and pressing to accept the call. “Hi, sis.” She tried to sound upbeat.

“Okay, first of all, you’ve got a whole load of stories to tell me. I mean, call your favorite sis sometime, you know?”

“I’m sorr?—”

“No! Now is not that time. Go to Jessie’s site and watch the top feature.”

“Jessie the talk show host?”

“Yes, sister dear. Love you. Call me when you have a minute. Preferably after you kiss that hot Viking. Love you!” She hung up.

After she kissed Shawn? Maryn had no idea that Julie was nowhere close to kissing Shawn right now, though her heart and her lips ached for him.

She opened the internet browser on her phone and typed in Jessie. The top feature was …

Julie sat on the edge of the tub.

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