Page 138 of Destined To Fall

“No, you didn’t.” He nods, seemingly to himself. He starts to speak, but I put up my hand to stop him.“I needed nothing. I had everything that I could ever need or want. I was complete—until you literally walked into me.”

“You walked into me, if we’re going to be accurate here.”

“Okay, fine. I walked into you, but that’s beside the point. The point I’m trying and failing to make is, the world that was turned upside down wasn’t yours, it was mine.”

Jeremy just looks at me, waiting and giving nothing away.

“I sold my apartment.”

“I know.”

I’m a little taken aback.“How?”

“I wasn’t prepared to just let you run. Not without a fight. But I know you, or I thought I did. So I waited—waited for it all to sink in—and then I showed up.” My eyes go wide. A little part of me had always wondered,but wasn’t brave enough to hope.

“I have no firsts left to give. I wasted them all because they meant nothing to me. Except, well, maybe just the one. I’ve never loved anyone, so there’s that, but I want you to be all my lasts. My onlys. For the rest of mybriefexistence.”

“Did you just propose?”

Did I?“Should I get on my knees? I’m not opposed to begging.” I lower to my knees, and I don’t miss the spark of desire that flashes in Jeremy’s eyes.“Jeremy William Thatcher—”

“How’d you—”

“—will you make me the most blissfully miserable woman on the planet and take me as yours? If you still want me…”

“Whoa.” He pulls me up from my knees.“Moving a little fast, aren’t we? After only having sex a couple of times, and then, you know, ghosting me for weeks.”

I can feel the look on my face, the shock rippling through me, my heart squeezing in my chest.He…he doesn’t want me?

“I wish I had a camera so I could capture the look on your face right now.Vivienne. You beautiful, clueless, emotionally stunted—”

“Hey!”

“—woman. I’m kidding. You think I’m going to let you off that easy? I can’t have you thinking I’m that desperate. Not to mention, I’d like to have the upper hand in this relationship at least once.”

“You asshole.” I push at his chest, but it’s feeble at best, and he takes both my hands in his before I pull away.

“You have an insane amount of groveling to do—”

“I’m good on my knees—”

“Shut up.”

“Okay.”

“Groveling. All of it. But I meant what I said. You’re all I want, Viv. You’re all I’ll ever want, and I plan to make you the most blissfully miserable—”

I nod and possibly sniffle.

“—the most blissfully miserable woman on the planet. One day. Maybe. If you’re good.”

“I hate you. So much.”

He grins, and a sob escapes me. A tear Ifought not toshed runs over my cheek. Jeremy brings up a hand up to cup my face, his thumb brushing the traitorous liquid. His smile turns soft.

“Say it.”

“You mean that whole spiel wasn’t enough?”

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