Page 149 of Forbidden Harmony

“It’s not the same thing,” he said. “I havea criminal record, Addison. Everything in my life will be just a little bitharder because of that. Traveling, working, everything. You don’t want to be draggedinto that with me. I’m not a better man now than I was then. Don’t startthinking I am.”

“You are,” she insisted. “You’ve learned fromyour mistakes and you’re a good person. You were a good person before too. Youjust made some mistakes. But look at you now. You have your own business andyou -”

“I have my own business because of my bestfriend. Not because of anything I did. You know why I moved here, Addison? Becauseit was the only way to get my own shop. There wasn’t a single fucking bank in allof New Cassel that would give an ex-convict a loan, not even if Gideon co-signedwith me. The only reason I have my shop is because Gideon co-signed the loanthat the Harmony Falls bank manager would only give me because he owed Gideon agoddamn favour.”

“What does that matter?” Addison said. “Ican’t even afford a crappy second-hand car. Do you think I’m less because ofthat?”

“It isn’t the same!” he shouted. “You willnever understand why and I’m glad you won’t. You shouldn’t live your life withsomeone like me. I’m no fucking good, Addison.”

“You are,” she said. “You’re the best manI know, Simon Wells, and I think I’m in love with you.”

He froze, his lungs seizing and his braingoing blank. After a few minutes, Addison said, “Say something, Simon. Please.”

“You’re not in love with me.”

“I am,” she said. He voice was full ofcertainty, of utter surety and belief.

“Your family will hate me,” he said. “Thisisn’t some goddamn Hallmark movie, remember? What do you think your folks willsay when you tell them you’re in love with an ex-convict?”

“Well, maybe that won’t be the first thingI tell them about you, but my parents are good people and they won’t judge youfor your past.”

“They will,” he said. “You’re their baby girland you being with someone like me will destroy your relationship with them.”

“You haven’t even met them.” There was theslightest tinge of anger in her voice. “Don’t judge them the way you thinkthey’ll judge you when you haven’t even met them yet. Give them a chance,okay? Give us a chance. Please. I know you feel something for me more thanjust lust. Don’t be afraid, okay? Be with me.”

He wanted to agree with her. He wanted tofall to his knees and tell her he loved her, and fucking beg her to never leavehim. But what good would that do? Over time, when the relationship with herparents was fractured, when that prick Harrison spread his past to the rest ofthe town and he and Addison were the fucking town gossip for the next decade,her love for him would dim. She’d find someone who was worthy of her, and Preacherwould be left with nothing but her memory.

He took a deep breath. “It won’t work,Sunshine. You and me? We’re finished. Do me a favour and lose my number.”

Her bottom lip trembled, and he could seethe shine of tears in her eyes. She swallowed hard and walked toward thedoor. She paused in the doorway and looked back at him, searing him with hergaze. “I never took you for a coward, Simon.”

The door shut behind her and he watched theonly woman he’d ever love walk out of his life forever.

Chapter Thirty-One

“What are you doing here?” Gideon pulledup short in the doorway of the kitchen.

“Gideon,” Grace said, “don’t.”

“It’s fine,” Addison said. She knew thatGideon would be angry with her. He was Preacher’s best friend, and she’d bedisappointed with him if he wasn’t kind of an asshole to her.

“I came by to talk and ask you for afavour,” Addison said.

“I’m not asking Preacher to forgive you,”Gideon said. “Not when you fucked him over the way you did.”

“Gideon!” Grace’s look was half-exasperationand half-love. “I know Preacher is your best friend, but don’t be a dick,okay?”

“It’s fine,” Addison repeated. “Grace,honey, can you give me and Gideon a minute?”

Grace nodded and stood up before callingfor Tank who was sitting in Addie’s lap. “I’ll be in the living room if youneed me.”

The big dog lumbered out of the kitchen, butGrace paused in the doorway next to Gideon. She cupped his jaw and tugged his headdown before pressing a kiss against his mouth and then whispering into his ear.

He nodded and while Addison couldn’t hearwhat Grace had said to him, the look of anger on Gideon’s face dimmed a little.He even sat down next to her at the table as Grace left the kitchen.

“How is he?” Addison said.

“Since you broke his goddam heart a weekago? Not so fucking hot, to tell you the truth,” Gideon said. “Tell me something,Addie, did you give him any chance to explain his past, or did you immediately tellhim the two of you were finished as soon as your prick of a fiancé told you andthe rest of the goddamn town he was an ex-convict?”

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