Page 137 of Square Deal

“You don’t want to get married,” I said with a sick laugh. “And we have an understanding about that? Forgive me, but I clearly remember telling you exactly what my relationship goals were.”

“Yeah,” he cut back, gripping the steering wheel with deadly force. “And I clearly remember telling you that I don’t do marriage.”

Another tear rolled down my cheek, and I swatted it away like a mosquito. “Then what was that bullshit you told me months ago, huh?” I jabbed a finger at him. “I told you this wouldn’t work, and somehow you convinced me—how did you say it? Oh yeah, you convinced me to give you one shot to do this right. You lied to me, Isaac Lawson. You let me believe that this was going somewhere.” I yanked the door handle and jumped out of the car.

"Hannah, listen to me!" he shouted, getting out and slamming the driver’s side door shut. “I want you more than I’ve wanted any woman or anything in my entire life. Ask me for the moon, and I will pull it out of the sky for you. But marriage is the one thing I cannot give you.”

Every word ripped through me like a bullet, and a Band-Aid was all he had to offer.

A black car with tinted windows pulled into the driveway. We both knew it was coming. He only drove me home to say goodbye while his plane refueled at the airstrip for a red-eye to London.

“So that’s it?” I asked, dropping my hands in utter disbelief. “All of this for nothing?”

"I want you, Hannah Jane," Isaac said flatly. He stood there, stoic. Not a glimmer of emotion anywhere to be found. “Nothing has to change. You and me? We don’t have to change. I love you, but I can’t give you what you want. Not this time.” His voice broke on the last word.At least there was a chance this was hurting him like it was hurting me.

“I don’t understand how you can walk away. How can you love me but not want a future? A family? I’m not talking about walking down the aisle tomorrow, Isaac! I’m not even talking about the next five years. I just need to know that it’s a possibility.” I was pleading.

Pathetic.Foolish.

Isaac swallowed. The cords in his neck strained as his Adam’s apple dipped. He steeled the corners of his mouth and clenched his fists. The telltale signs of someone holding everything in. It was like looking in a mirror.

“Han,” his voice caught. He pinched the bridge of his nose before scrubbing his palm over his mouth and down the side of his jaw. “Marriage… it’s just… I can’t, Princess. I’m not the marrying kind, and you shouldn’t settle for someone who doesn’t want what you want.”

A flood of tears streamed down my face, and the rest of my body went numb. The five feet between us might as well have been five thousand.Foolish girl.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry.”

“Have a safe trip,” I said quietly.

Isaac took a few steps, placed his hand on my arm, and kissed my cheek. “Be well, Miss Hayes.” He turned and walked to the waiting car. Without a second glance, he slid into the backseat and closed the door.

The driver backed out of the driveway and pulled onto the street.

“Be here,” I whispered as the car turned into a speck of black in the distance.

“Beaufort P.D.—open up!”

Chase could go fuck himself. I would have rolled my eyes, but even that hurt. That’s what three solid days of crying did.

I knew what he was banging on my door about. I missed poker night.

It was nothing against the poker club; I just didn’t feel like getting dressed. Or leaving the house. Or being social.

“Hannah Jane Hayes,” he boomed.He was intent on waking the whole damn neighborhood. “Open up.”

He knew where the spare key was. If he wanted to come in, he would.

Frankly, I was surprised that I had made it this long without someone asking what the hell happened.

Then again, the only way they would have known is if Isaac told Luca. It’s not like he lived here. A few toiletries, pairs of boxers, and sweatpants were the only remaining evidence of Isaac.

It took less than two minutes to box it all up and hide it under lock and key.

Less than two minutes to add that box to my relationship graveyard.

I heard the front door open and close. Chase’s feet clobbered across the hardwoods. “Han, I know you’re home. If you’re not decent, I’m about to see you naked.”

I sniffed back the train of snot and stuffed another bite of Fruity Pebbles in my face. Even Fred Flintstone couldn’t make me feel better.

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