Page 53 of Seven

“We’re following up on some leads.”

“So, that’s a yes?”

“You haven’t told me about Paris.”

He clearly wanted to change the subject and what a subject it was.

Just the mention of Paris made my throat tighten. When I first arrived, I felt like I’d been thrown into a completely different world, and it filled me with mixed emotions. I was heartbroken over losing Holt and terrified about having a baby on my own, but my classes were captivating, and the people I met were incredible. I had no idea how to put it all into words, so I answered, “I don’t know what to say.”

“Was it worth it?”

“No,” I answered without hesitation. “Not even close. I saw incredible things, learning things I would’ve never learned anywhere else, but the cost was too high. I lost you, and Ford lost the chance to know his father.”

“He hasn’t lost his chance. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“We need to decide how we want to tell him.”

“We’ll figure it out.”

“Do you think we can?” My voice cracked a little. “Or have I made too much of a mess of everything?”

“This isn’t all on you, Tallie.”

“It certainly feels that way.”

“I felt like that for eight years. Still not so sure I was wrong.”

“You were definitely wrong. You were the love of my life, and they took you from me. I haven’t been the same since.”

“You really believe that.”

“Without a doubt.”

“Come here,” his voice cut through the air, low and rough, like a whisper meant only for me.

All the fear, the regret, the anger raged inside of me, making it difficult to know what to do.

“Tallie.”

I didn’t move. I just stood there, staring at him. I was torn between wanting to run out the door and wanting to leap into his arms. The pull I felt towards him was impossible to ignore, and before I knew what I was doing, I’d taken a step forward. And then another.

“I should’ve fought harder,” I whispered, barely audible, my voice trembling. “I should’ve made them see...”

His tone was firm and demanding as he ordered, “Now, Tallie.”

I took another step. I was finally standing right in front of him. We were just inches apart. My eyes searched his, looking for any sign that he might feel the same way I did.

But he gave me nothing—not yet.

Not until I was exactly where he wanted me.

His eyes were still trained on mine as he slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me against him. I gasped, startled, but before I could even think, his mouth crashed against mine. It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t gentle. It was angry. And raw. And desperate.

It waseverythingwe’d both been holding back for years.

I could feel his hand at the back of my neck as his fingers tangled in my hair. My hand rested against his chest as he deepened the kiss. I let myself melt into him. My body responded to his like it had been starved for him.

When he pulled back just enough for us both to catch our breath, he reached up and cupped my face, gently brushing his thumb across my cheek. My tears were still there, and when his eyes landed on them, something in him cracked, and I could feel it.

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