Page 113 of Until It Was Real

Her brow furrows. “I remember you said your dad left.”

“There’s more to the story.”

She squeezes my hand. “What happened?”

“I hate discussing this.”

“Okay.”

I blow out a breath of relief. She’s letting me off the hook. But then I realize she’s standing. “Where are you going?”

“If you aren’t going to explain why you…” She clears her throat. “…you know. Then, there’s no reason for us to have dinner together.”

I growl. There’s every reason for us to have dinner together. This is the first of many dinners together. But first…

“I said I hate discussing this. I didn’t say I wouldn’t.”

She sits back down. “Please, proceed.”

“My dad left us when I was fifteen.”

“I’m sorry.”

I wave away her apology. “He’s an asshole for leaving us but my problem isn’tthathe left us it’showhe left.” I pause to gather my courage. “He planned everything in advance. He had a woman waiting for him in another apartment in another city in another state, and we knew nothing. He said he loved us, kissed my mom goodbye, and left for a business meeting. He never returned. Hell, he dropped all contact with us.”

“You didn’t see the signs then and now you’re terrified you’ll miss the signs when someone is lying to you?”

I nod. “Now do you understand why I overreacted?”

“I do.” Dakota smiles, but sadness fills her eyes. “Three couples. Three times I thought I was going to be adopted. Three times the couples rejected me after they found out about my medical and health issues.”

“Fuck,” I mutter. “Assholes.”

She holds up a hand. “I don’t blame them. I understand. A child with a chronic illness is a lot to take on. But the experiences taught me to keep my health problems to myself.”

Pain slices through me. How can I blame her for keeping her diabetes a secret, considering her past? I should have been more considerate. I should have listened to her.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. I’m sorry my abandonment issues reared their ugly head and I hurt you.” I reach across the table to grasp her hands. “Can you ever forgive me?”

“Can you forgive me for not trusting you enough to tell you about my diabetes?”

“It’s forgotten. I should have handled the woman I love with more care.”

Her mouth gapes open. “The woman you love?”

I grin. “I love you, Dakota. You came into my life and wreaked havoc. You broke down all my walls. I was determined to never fall in love. To never find a wife. Because I knew there wasn’t a woman out there I could trust. I was wrong.”

Her eyes well with tears.

“Don’t cry. Please, don’t cry. Your tears slay me.”

“It’s your fault.” Her voice wobbles as the tears break free. “You’re being sweet.”

I stand and haul her into my arms. “Get used to it, Havoc. I love you.”

She glances up at me. Her green eyes are full of wonder. “I love you, too.”

“Thank fuck,” I mutter before molding my lips to hers. I groan as her taste hits me. It’s only been a few days since I’ve touched her, but those days felt like they lasted years. Not knowing if I would ever feel her again. Wondering how I would survive without her.

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