Page 80 of Mr. Charming

“You were right,” he says. “I was in a pretty shitty time of my life when I asked you to marry me. And when you said no, fuck…” He shakes his head and closes his eyes, his shoulders sinking. “You ruined me.”

I don’t say anything for a moment. I ruined myself. “I’m not sorry. You would have regretted that decision as soon as you were healthy and found your place in Nashville. You didn’t want to be married, Tweetie. You were just tired of losing things that meant something to you.”

He nods. “I told you, you were right. You don’t need to rub it in even more.” He lifts his gaze off the fidget toy and smirks. “I’ve had a lot of nights where I wished you were next to me.”

I could easily throw it in his face that his bed didn’t seem to ever be empty based on the rumors, but that will only take us backward.

“Days too. I missed you over these years, and if you want to know why I never came after you, it’s because I wanted you to find someone better than me.”

My shoulders sink, and I walk over to the couch, sitting next to him. I don’t say anything. I don’t reach for him. I just sit near him.

“But I was wrong, because no one knows how to love you more than me. Sorry, but it’s the truth.” His cocky smile lights up his face, and it’s not an act. He actually believes it. Maybe I do too if I want to be honest with myself.

“We can deal with that later, but I have a question I want to ask.” I gather my courage.

“Ask away.”

“Why did you remove the tattoo? I know you never wanted it to begin with, but it gutted me to see it gone after you told me what it symbolized for you, Tweetie. Gutted.” I grip my shirt as though I can feel the pain from that day again.

He doesn’t look upset, guilty, or scared to tell me as that smile stays on his face. “If you would’ve stuck around, I would’ve told you, but first, can I have a drink?”

I narrow my eyes. “Yes, how rude of me. Allow me to serve you, my esteemed guest.” I cross my arms and get comfortable in the corner of the couch.

He stands. “So you don’t mind if I get it myself?”

I hold out my hand in a gesture of have at it.

“Do you want anything?” he asks, glancing over his shoulder.

“I’m good.”

He busies himself in the kitchen, and I watch him move around my space. Not only getting a drink from the fridge but also searching my cabinets for snacks. It’s nice to share a space with him again. I’m not sure what kind of answer he can give me on the tattoo removal, but I’ll give him the chance to explain.

His arms are full of chips, a can of nuts, and two drinks when he returns.

“That’s a lot of food.” I rest my gaze on the assortment.

“You can’t blame me for trying to stay as long as possible, can you?”

I blow out a breath. “Come on, Tweetie. Explain.” I wave at him.

He opens the bottle of water and places it on a coaster on the table. “Why do you always get me to be all vulnerable?”

“It’s called growth. Stop stalling.”

He nods, inhaling a deep breath before he starts. “I wasn’t strong enough…”

I have no idea what else he’s going to say, but that statement alone already tugs at my heart. I’m pretty sure I can’t possibly keep him at arm’s length anymore.

Thirty-Seven

Tweetie

“What does that mean?” Tedi asks.

I don’t miss the skepticism in her tone.

I forget the snacks since they were really just a way for me to stall and figure out the words I want to say so I don’t fuck this up. I’ve thought about it a lot over the years, knowing if we ever found ourselves back here, she’d ask me like she would have that morning in the hotel room if things hadn’t escalated. Although I don’t think it would have changed the outcome in any way. I was still so bitter about her not accepting my marriage proposal, and I’d let that resentment build over the years.

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