Page 101 of Scatter the Bones

He draws back, amusement playing over his lips. “Magic, huh?”

I slap his arm. “Of course you focused onthat.”

He sighs and rakes his hands though his hair, leaving it sticking up all over the place. “I told you I wasn’t good boyfriend material. Not good at relationships. I’m not…I don’t know how. I’m trying.”

Misery and frustration fold around him like a cloud.

As annoyed as I am, he has a point. His silenceshaveshortened. Heck, he even called a few hours after leaving this morning. For him, that’s a big improvement.

Is it enough for me, though?

“You’re right,” I say.

He tilts his head, like he didn’t hear correctly, and I don’t even think he’s being sarcastic.

“I’m sorry,” I continue. “I know you’re trying. I want to give you space when you need it?—”

“I don’twantspace.” He hugs me tight against his body. “I want to permanently attach myself to you. But I think you’d get sick of me fast.”

Is that what he’s doing? Trying to leave before he gets left? “I never get tired ofyou.Idoget tired of feeling uncertain aboutus.”

“The only thing I’m certain about is how I feel about you.” He closes his eyes and exhales a slow breath. When he opens them again, he seems sad or tired. “I don’t want you to see me at my worst and bail.”

Well, that’s something I understand. “You think I don’t worry about the same thing?”

“It’s different.”

“No, it’s not,” I insist. “You’re not as complicated as you think you are.” A list of things I know are true come to mind, and I give him each one. “You came from an awful situation. You survived. You righted some wrongs. And you’re a good man.”

“I’m definitelynota good man.”

“Strongly disagree.” I tap his chest. “We’re usingmymetrics here. No one else’s.”

His lips quirk.

“You’re loyal and kind?—”

“No, I’m not.” He laughs. “I’m grumpy and mean to people all the time.”

“Well, people shouldn’t be annoying, then.” I shrug. “You’re loyal to your brothers. You’re kind to me. You take care of your sister. A lot of brothers would’ve told her she’s on her own.”

“I do that out ofguilt, Margot.”

“That youfeelguilt at all means you’re a decent person. But I don’t think you have anything to feel guilty about. And I have a feeling Jezzie would agree with me.”

He frowns and his lips part as if he wants to warn me to leave Jezzie out of it.

“I didn’t say I’m going to ask her,” I say. “That’s for you two to work out. But I have a feeling she’s not as mad at you as you think.”

“Margot—

I don’t want to derail our conversation. “I want you to be yourself with me. That’s what love is. Isn’t it? Seeing your person at their worst and loving them anyway?”

He frowns. Like this is a novel concept.

“My love isn’t conditional. I like you.” I poke my finger in his chest. “Who you are today.”

“Today, I’m a man who snuck out of your bed early in the morning.”

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