Page 80 of The Billionaire Love Match

Casey let out a frustrated breath. “You mean to tell me that your mom didn’t give you these every week?”

“She did, but not for this date. I swear I’ve never seen this before. Boots, you’ve got to trust me.”

“Don’t call me that. If you never saw it, how come everything on that list happened? It’s like a play-by-play of the only time I thought I got the real you. Do you see how I’m struggling to trust you?”

His voice was quieter. “I do. I wish that I could prove to you that I never saw this. I didn’t follow a plan. And I didn’t do any of these things for Tessa. That night was just me being me.”

“I want to believe you, Colt. But after everything...I just don’t know that I can.”

“What can I do, Casey? Please.”

“You can make it right,” she said.

“I don’t know how. Tell me and I’ll make it right.”

She sighed. “Colt, I don’t know how you can make it right. And if I did, I couldn’t be the one to tell you how. You have to figure it out on your own. I’m going to bed now, Colt. I’m sorry.”

Casey stepped away from the door, that one movement away from him feeling so heavy. So wrong. “Colt?”

“Yes, Casey.”

“I’m really sorry your mom did all that. I don’t know what that must be like. But a mom shouldn’t treat her son like that. You deserve better and I’m really sorry.”

When he didn’t answer, she simply said, “Goodnight, Colt,” and walked slow, heavy, terrible steps to her room, where she shut the door and wept.

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