Page 121 of Perfect Harmony

He stared up at her. “Why, what?”

“Why do we have to be just friends? Kiraknows now. The thing we both worried about has happened. Now, we fix it. Wefix it and we begin our life together.”

“It isn’t just Kira,” he said.

Her temper pushed to the surface. “You’regonna walk away from what we have because of your stupid belief that I’ll die ifyou love me? Life doesn’t work that way, Gideon. Grow up! You’re not somekind of curse. You love Kira and she’s perfectly fine.”

“She was suicidal after our parents died!” heshouted. “She almost died!”

“But she didn’t! Because you –we–got her help. You’re not a curse, Gideon. Shit happens in life and we have todeal with it. Your parents didn’t die because you loved them. Tank didn’t getbloat because you love him. Bad things happen sometimes.”

“You think it’s so simple,” he said. “Youthink that you can assure me you won’t die and that’s it… that we can be together?Well, I have news for you, I’m not the only fucked up one in the room, Grace.”

She sat back, two bright red spots appearinghigh on her cheeks. “I never said you were, Gideon.”

“You think I haven’t noticed that you’realways waiting for me to screw up? For me to disappoint you and not be therefor you?”

“I know I have my issues,” she said, “but I’mtrying to work through them.”

“Are you? What happens if I forget again todo something I said I would? Or if a day goes by where I don’t make you feelcherished or special. It doesn’t matter what I say or what I do, you will neverthink you’re worthy of love. You’re always going to compare me to your parentswho have never, and will never, give a fuck about you.”

She gasped, those bright red spots fadingas her mouth trembled and tears slipped down her pale cheeks. He groaned, instantregret flooding his entire body. “Gracie, baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean -”

“You did,” she said. “You meant what yousaid and that’s okay. You’re not wrong. My parents don’t love me and it’s… it’smessed me up a lot. And, yeah, maybe I don’t think I’m worthy of love but atleast I wasn’t afraid to try.”

She stood up and grabbed her purse from thetable before pausing in the doorway of the kitchen. “You’re right. We can’thave a relationship. I love you, Gideon, I do. But loving you hurts too much.”

* * *

“Well, you look like hell,” Connor said.

“Thanks.” Grace slammed her locker shut.

“Come into my office for a minute,” Connorsaid.

“Can we talk later? I’m already ten minutesinto my lunch and I haven’t eaten, and Mrs. Jennings is coming in right afterlunch and -”

“Nope. My office now, Grace.”

She sighed and followed Connor down thehallway and into his office, sitting down as Connor closed the door with hisgood hand and sat in the chair behind his desk.

“Is this where you fire me for breakingKira’s heart?” Grace said.

“You know I wouldn’t do that,” Connor said.

“How is she?” Grace said.

“Better,” Connor said. “She feels badabout what she said to you both.”

“She shouldn’t,” Grace said. “Did you tellher that you knew I…”

“Had a crush on Gideon?” Connor nodded. “Idid. She was pissed at first, but she knows that you and I are friends. It alsohelped that I had no idea you and Gideon are in a relationship.”

“We aren’t. It was just fucking.” Grace grimaced.“Sorry.”

“It’s okay. Kira’s at home,” Connor said.“You should talk to her, Gracie.”

“I know.” Grace rubbed at the dull pain developingin her temples. “I’ll stop by after work.”

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