Page 104 of Lie With Me

“Do you think maybe I could just have a day with her? Please?” The last thing I want is to keep the two women apart, but after the weekend we’ve had, I just really need a good twenty-four hours to hold Lenni in my arms.

“Of course.” She hugs me before stepping aside for Jackson to do the same.

“If you need anything at all, you know we’re here,” he says quietly.

I don’t know what it is about your friends showing that they care that makes you want to break down, but I bite my lip as I nod, unable to speak for fear of losing it again. They both leave with sad smiles and a promise to be here first thing Tuesday morning.

Slowly, I return to my room, listening to Mom speak to Lenni in a low, soothing voice. “You’re so strong, Valentina. The worst is over now. Take as much time as you need toheal.”

“I’m so tired.” Valentina’s voice is barely audible.It breaks my fucking heart as I climb into the bed with her. She turns her head to me, offering a small smile. “Hi.”

“Hi, Viv.” My response is watery as I blink tears from my eyes, not wanting her to see how upset I am.

“Whydoyou call her Viv? I’ve always found it rather odd,” Mom asks as she stands from her chair.

Valentina tries to crack a genuine smile as I reach over and gently run my thumb down her chin—the only part of her face that isn’t bruised—but her split lip causes her to wince, and she frowns again. A damn tear escapes, running down my cheek as I respond, “Because she’s my pretty woman.”

“Not so pretty at the moment,” she tries to joke.

“You’re beautiful. You’ll always be beautiful to me,” I tell her.

“I’ll leave you two alone. Keep me updated. I promise not to spontaneously drop by as long as you keep in contact with me.” Mom walks toward the door, lifting a hand to stop me from getting up to see her out. “Get some rest, both of you. I love you.”

“Love you, too,” I tell her.

“Margo?” Valentina calls out.

“Yes, dear?”

“Thank you.”

Mom nods, looking like she’s also trying to keep herself from crying. “Of course. Now get some sleep.”

After I hear the front door shut, I reposition myself on my side, staring at Valentina, who’s still on her stomach. “Can I get you anything?”

She shakes her head, moving a hand from under her pillow to reach for mine. “Just stay here with me.”

“Always.” I lace our fingers together. “I love you so much. I’m so sorry. For everything. For agreeing to go to Emily’s stupid wedding. For Neil. For not?—”

“Don’t, Tripp. It’s not your fault,” she cuts me off.

“But it is. If I’d just listened to you, this would never have happened. We would have been together when you found out about your mom, and I would have gone with you to take care of everything. I would have never let them hurt you.” While we waited for the doctor to arrive, Jackson convinced Mom and Ginny to give us a little time to ourselves. After I’d broken down again, Valentina explained everything—the rest of her sordid tale, and what had prompted the attack.

“It was something I needed to do on my own, Tripp. Honestly, I’m not sure I would have let you go with me either way.” She shifts, blowing out a breath as she makes herself more comfortable. “I needed to say goodbye to all of it. Otherwise, I’d never be able to move forward.”

“Baby, why didn’t you just askme for the money? I would have taken care of it, Valentina.”

“I didn’t want to owe you. It wasmymess. I would have gotten myself out of it, eventually.” She doesn’t sound so sure of that statement.

“If anything, it’s me who owes you. That was our deal, remember, Viv?” Scooting closer, I cradle our intertwined hands between us, kissing her knuckles.

“I don’t want your money.”

“It’sourmoney.” I reach down into my pocket with my free hand. “Baby, it’sourmess. You will never have to deal with anything alone. Ever again. Do you understand me?”

It takes a few moments, but finally, she nods. “Okay.”

“Okay,” I breathe out, straightening her fingers to slip her ring back on. “I fucking love you so much, Valentina. The thought of losing you is unbearable. I don’t want to spend another second on this earth without you by my side.” She sucks in a breath, tears glistening in her eyes. “I know that we did this completely backward and that we haven’t officially been together for that long. But the idea of you with anyone else terrifies me, and I selfishly want to keep you all to myself from now until the day we die. Will you marry me?”

---