Page 80 of That One Heartbreak

But his home had never looked this good before. Because Kate was sitting on the front stairs, her elbows resting on her knees, her chin propped in her palms. Not doing anything to hide the fact she was sitting outside his house.

“Hi,” he said softly, holding his hand out to help her up. “You could have waited in your car.”

“I don’t think I could have.” She stood, her hand in his. He didn’t want to pull it away so he used his left hand to slide his key in the door, so aware of this woman as he pushed it open and they walked inside.

“Want a drink?” he asked her.

“No thank you.” She looked around the hallway. When he’d first moved in he’d put photographs of his family on the wall in a burst of energy. “There are so many of you,” she said softly, looking at each photograph in turn.

“When your kids have kids, there’ll be a lot of you, too,” he pointed out.

“There will, won’t there?” She took a deep breath. “Can we sit down?” she asked. “I just don’t think I can do this in the hallway.”

So it was an ending then. Okay.

Actually, no, it wasn’t okay but he’d survive. It wouldn’t kill him.

He just wanted to punch something. Anything. Get rid of the pain in his chest.

She followed him to the back of his house, to the upholstered seats overlooking his backyard. It was small compared to hers. Full of flowers though, thanks to his mom who came to garden every week.

“This is beautiful,” Kate said. “Look at those roses.”

“My mom has a thing for them.” He waited as she sat down on one of the chairs, trying to keep his breath even.

But damn, he needed this pain to be done with. “If you’re ending this, can we do it fast? I’m not one for long drawn out emotions.”

“You think I’m ending things?” She frowned.

“After our conversation earlier? I’m pretty sure you are.”

She reached for his hand again. “I’m not ending things. I’m saying sorry. I’ve been so scared I’ve been pushing you away without even realizing it. And this morning…” she trailed off. “I felt so guilty I couldn’t breathe.”

“Guilty?” He frowned. “About what?”

“About Paul. I’d just spend the night in another man’s arms. I wasn’t expecting to see his picture on the wall a few hours later.I felt so bad, Marley. Like I was being judged. It is nothing to do with you, it has to do with me.”

The softness of her voice cut him to the core.

“You have his picture on your dresser,” he pointed out. “Seeing his photo on the wall shouldn’t be that much of a shock.”

“You saw that, huh?”

“I did.”

Her eyes met his. “I guess I’m used to that one. The one in his uniform, where he…” She looked at him. “Is that where he…?”

“Yes.” His voice was tight. He hated thinking about it. Hated it even more when he was sitting next to the woman he desired.

“I was blindsided. And I didn’t react well. And I’m sorry you bore the brunt of that.”

Marley shook his head. “I don’t care about seeing that. I want to see your emotions, Kate. I want to be a part of them. I miss him, too. So much I don’t know what to do with the anger I feel sometimes. I get the guilt. I get the sadness. I just want you to share them with me, not push me away.”

“You want me to talk about Paul?” she asked, her brows reflecting her confusion.

“I want you to talk to me about anything you’re feeling. I want you to be honest with me. To be real. I want you, Kate. All of you. In case you hadn’t realized that already.”

“Climbing into my bedroom gave me a little hint,” she said, a smile playing at her lips.

---