Page 89 of Inarticulate

But how?

Time didn’t helped. Passion hadn’t either. She had to give him more.

“What if I tell you all my secrets?” she whispered to herself. “And said that I was so close to being in love with you, so close to being entirely vulnerable and all I needed was your trust? What if I told you that it hurts to breathe when I think about boarding that plane to San Francisco? If I gave you those secrets, would you give me yours?”

She imagined his response, the subtle lift of his chin, the shock in his eyes.

And still it wouldn’t be enough.

He’d already described his emotions in vivid detail. He’d painted a picture of affection and lust. Love had been on his lips, too.

She needed to do something bigger. To forget about her previous stipulations and the restraints on the relationship that revolved around secrecy. For weeks she kept their time together to herself.

A few people in Seattle were aware she had a lover. Kelly had specifics, Grant only had an active imagination. Neither questioned her. It was an unspoken rule, and the only thing to show for her time away from her hotel room were the surveillance cameras in the parking lot.

She’d hidden Keenan. Not merely for her career, or to ward off Penny. It was also to gain a foothold on whatever was building between them. She enjoyed the hell out of his company and didn’t want anyone encroaching on their space. But maybe it was time to let it all go.

The answer to gaining Keenan’s trust could be as easy as telling the world they were together.

She pulled to the side of the road, a smile tugging her lips as she clicked her cell into the hands-free unit. Her heart and her hands trembled in excitement with the press of the call button. The ring tone had her holding her breath.

“Yeah.”

The unenthusiastic welcome muted her buzz. “Hey, Dominic.” She wanted him to hear the news from her first. Not second-hand when her mom went on a gossip spree. He deserved to know she was in love, even though he hadn’t thought it possible with Keenan.

“Hey, yourself.” There was no charm, none of the usual playfulness.

“It’s been a while. I was hoping to catch up and see how you’re doin’. How was your Thanksgiving?”

“Evidently, not as busy as yours, because I had the decency of picking up the phone.”

Damn, that swipe cut deep. The guilt over dismissing his Thanksgiving call had weighed on her for days. She hadn’t been willing to lie to him about her whereabouts. The only option had been to keep her distance. She’d messaged him back, claiming to be on the verge of losing phone battery and hadn’t found the guts to call him since. But they’d texted over the weeks. Only now it was becoming evident that his short replies weren’t due to being busy.

“I’d worked late with a wedding the night before.” She still wouldn’t lie to him. “Comprehension wasn’t my strong point for days after.”

He scoffed, the sound tinged with loathing. “No kidding.”

She gripped the steering wheel and tried to imagine the look on his face as he spoke. Tried and failed. Dominic wasn’t prone to anger around her. They were buddies. Friends. Or they had been until the bug crawled up his ass. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That’s supposed to mean that I’m sick of this bullshit. And I’m fucking annoyed that you ruined our Thanksgiving.”

Something blossomed in her chest. Something dark and grave and unwelcomed. “Ruined…”

“Mom was upset that Keenan cancelled lunch without notice. Penny was an A-grade bitch because he was with you. And frankly, I was fucking disappointed that, yet again, you didn’t take my advice and stay away.”

Her mouth gaped. Her throat tightened. The visual of Penny as an A-grade bitch was crystal clear, thankfully keeping her mind away from the image of Aunt Michelle’s reaction to Thanksgiving.

“Why are you telling me this now?” Her voice was low, barely audible through the white noise. “Why didn’t you yell at me back then?”

“I was angry. Still am. But I’d warned you—”

“I like him, Dominic. Ireallylike him.” There, she’d said it.

Her chest expanded a little. Relief sped through her veins. The truth wouldn’t set her free from this conversation, but it gave her hope for when she was with Keenan next. “I’m contemplating moving to Seattle.”

“Savvy, you’re only history repeating itself. Trust me,” he offered softly, as if she were a child who didn’t understand. “Contemplating anything with him is a mistake.”

“Why, because he can’t speak? You think I don’t know him because he hasn’t given me words?” She shook her head. “Well, you’re wrong. I’ve been with him since Thanksgiving. I’ve practically lived with the man for weeks.” All his secrets may not be at her disposal, but she understood all the important parts. She knew he loved her. She knew he was determined and focused and smart. She knew they fit together—heart, mind, and soul. And she also knew her life was far more vibrant with him in it. Words or not.

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