Page 24 of Dearest Ronan

He continues. “Now, I’ve got this wonderful woman in front of me,” he pauses to caress my cheek. I lean into his gentle touch.“Someone who deserves the world. I don’t have the money to give you cars, houses, or decor—”

I interrupt. “I don’t care about that stuff!”

His lips tilt up. “Yes.” Bringing my left hand to his lips, he gently kisses my knuckles. “But what I can do is protect you. Carolyn’s friends are vicious, and society is judgmental. What I’m afraid is that people we don’t give a shit about will assume that I’m with you only as a rebound. As if you mean nothing to me.”

“You said it yourself. We don’t give a shit about them.” I’m trying to show him reason.

He grips my hands tighter. “Once our relationship is out, there’s no going back. Their minds will be made up.”

My resolve wanes. I don’t want to be upset with him. It’s obvious he only wants what’s best for us in the long-run. If anything, a kernel of hope blooms deep in my chest. He’s thinking about us as a future item. If he truly didn’t care, he’d prance me around town like the trophy rebound they’d all think I am.

Yet, he’s not, because he doesn’t want Carolyn’s family or their friends to see me as anything less than the healing selves we are. Seeing Ronan’s intentions in this new light makes me love him more.

There’s not a single note of deception in his voice.

“Baby,” he pleads, unable to know exactly what I’m thinking.

Slowly, I nod. All I’ve ever wanted ishim.“You’re right.” Gaining momentum, I nod harder, more concrete in his stance that has turned intoours.“Absolutely right. All that matters is you and me.” We’re both creating a new life and I don’t want gossip or rumors to ruin what we can become.

He takes a deep inhale. “Yes. That’s exactly it.” Finally, he releases my hands to reach into his pocket. The leather seats crinkle underneath him. “I know I ruined tonight, but I stillwanted to give you this.” In the palm of his hand sits a velvet rectangular box.

My arms shake in anticipation. He opens it for me and inside lays a beautiful silver necklace with a butterfly on the end. “I promise,” he begins. “I’m not ashamed of you.”

Our shakes turn into awkward beaming smiles and enough love to fill the car.

Both of our feelings are valid, and I’m willing to hang on longer.

Anika

I’m worried about my work with Ms. Archenhood. She doesn’t seem to mind that I’m behind schedule or that costs are quickly passing what I quoted her, but it’s only a matter of time before my inexperience proves too much. Ms. Archenhood is an angel, but everyone has their limits.

Sweat drips along my spine as I exit my car and head towards Ronan’s apartment. Then, while gnawing on my lip, I fish out my keys from my purse and unlock the front door and open it. Immediately, I’m hit with the scent of whisky and garlic.

I shrug off my jacket and hang up my purse while Ronan carefully watches me with a drink in his hand by the kitchen. His apartment is really that small.

“What’s going on?”

Ronan’s finger nervously traces the rim of his glass. “I feel terrible about ruining dinner last night,” he begins. It’s subtle, but his fingers continue to fidget. “You are so important to me, butterfly.”

I step further into the apartment. Realistically, we’re both right and both wrong. I have no right to push Ronan in revealing our relationship sooner than he’s comfortable with, and Ronan has no right to make promises and lead me on.

Unsure what to say, I scan the kitchen. A heated frying pan is on the stove, sizzling.

He meets me halfway. “Please, forgive me.” There’s a desperate air to him. It’s as if he’s falling for me just as I’m falling for him. Neither of us is ready for the next step, but we can’t let go either.

There’s no way I can say no. Honestly, even if he hadn’t apologized, I’d return to him. While I have no experience in divorce, I can’t imagine what he’s going through. “Yes,” I breathe. “I forgive you.”

Like a child, his face beams. Some part of him thought I’d walk away.

A few minutes later, we’re eating his wonderful dinner and then a bit later cleaning up.

His apology is simple, but genuine. Still, I have this feeling deep in my gut. I worry he doesn’t think he’s good enough for me. Which isn’t even close to the truth! Going to tell him this, I wrap my arms around his back and clench my fingers into the smooth fabric of his shirt. “Ronan, I—”

“Relax, butterfly,” he whispers against the side of my neck, effectively interrupting me.

An involuntary moan leaves me. His touchdoesfeel like heaven, like his fingers instinctively know exactly where to press. “You make everything better.”

“Do I now?” He continues kneading into my soft skin sensually, causing a shiver to run through my spine. We’re wrapped up in one another, just how I like it. Even more so when he moves forward, pushing me backwards so we’re traveling as one.

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