Page 81 of Every Promise Broken

I nod. “It was hard. Opening up to somebody, a stranger, but I knew I needed to do something. I couldn’t keep living the way I was.”

“I’m honestly really surprised,” he says, shaking his head as he processes. “You were so against the idea of seeing someone with me when we were married. I’m… I’m really proud of you for doing that for yourself. Do you still see them?”

“No. I saw her for a year, and it was incredibly helpful.”

The barn door opens again, and Shooter waltzes back into the office, a tray of food in his hands and a huge grin on his face. “Dinner is ready!” he announces. “Hope you two are hungry.”

“Just set the food down and go, Shooter,” I mutter.

“You’re always so damn grumpy,” he says as he plates up Whit’s food. “I don’t know how you put up with him.”

Whit sniggers before taking another sip of his champagne.

Shooter dishes up my plate before asking, “Are you two back together yet?”

“Goodbye, Shooter,” I growl.

“Alright, alright.” He holds his hands in front of him. “You guys enjoy the food. We’ll be back later to clear the plates.”

Whit lays his napkin on his lap before reaching for his silverware. “This looks delicious,” he says. “Did you make it or did they?”

“I made the pork, but they made the rest.”

“I really can’t believe you let them help you with this.”

Breathing out a chuckle, I say, “They didn’t really leave me much option. The two of them teamed up against me.”

Whit laughs as he takes a bite. “You know, that doesn’t surprise me now that I think about it. They’re both quite stubborn and hardheaded. They’re the perfect team.”

“They’re a pain in my ass,” I grumble.

Whit’s quiet for a moment as we both dig in. They really did do a great job with the food. “Do you remember our first date?” he asks softly.

“How could I forget?” Glancing up at him, I say, “Why do you think I chose this for tonight?”

Cheeks pink, he looks down at his plate, a small smile playing on his lips. “You made steak and potatoes,” he murmurs, almost to himself. “Such a Strauss man meal.” He chuckles. “We had beer from a can with our food as we sat right here. You found one of those flameless candles that your mom loved, and you played music in the background while we ate. I was so nervous.”

“You were?” I don’t know why, but that surprises me. Maybe because I was the one who was so nervous I could hardly talk.

“God, yes.” He laughs. “I was crazy about you, and it was weeks after the first time you kissed me, and then pretended it never happened. I wanted to impress you, but I was so inexperienced.”

Reaching over, I cover his hand with mine. “You always impress me, Whit.”

He smiles. It’s small, but it’s there. “I wish you would’ve talked to me before you paid off that loan.” There’s a sadness in his tone, but at least it’s not anger. That gives me hope.

“You’re absolutely right. And I’m sorry,” I murmur, and I can tell he’s surprised by that. “I should’ve talked to you about it. I had no right going behind your back and doing something like that, but please know, I did it with the best of intentions. I understand now why you were so upset, and I’m sorry. I promise to always talk with you before making any big decision like that again, but I also need you to know that if I’m your man, there’s so much more I will do for you than pay a loan. You work too hard and you’re too good of a person to be so stressed all the time. I want you to enjoy life, be happy, and live without the nightmares you get from all the weight on your shoulders. Butyou’re one hundred percent right; I shouldn’t have made the decision for you. How can I prove myself to you, Whit? I will do anything, wait any amount of time, I just need you to know I never did this to hurt you. Please. What can I do?”

“I know you had good intentions, and I do appreciate what you did. I don’t want you to think I don’t. The whole reason our relationship fell apart the first time was because you wouldn’t communicate with me, and it felt like we were right back there all over again. I know you just wanted to help, and I thank you for that, but I need the communication, Conrad. I need us to be a team if we’re ever going to make this work.”

My heart stutters, unsure if I heard him right. “Make it work,” I repeat. “Does that mean…”

“I love you, Conrad.” Tears stream down his face as emotion pricks the back of my eyes. He’s fidgeting with his hands on the table, but he’s holding my gaze, even though I’m sure it’s hard. “I have always loved you, since I was a young boy who had no business looking at a man like you in that way. I have loved you through all the good times and every last bad one. I have loved you even when I hated myself for it. It has always been you for me, Connie. Always. I don’t think there could ever come a time when I don’t love you, that’s how ingrained in me you are. You are a part of me that I could never get rid of, and I wouldn’t ever want to anyway. You’re it for me too. If I’m your calm creek, then you’re my wild storm. You’re every bit the air in my lungs and the blood in my veins as I am yours, and I desperately need to breathe again. I’m ready to breathe again.”

My throat is tight, and my heart is a wild drum in my chest. “I have waited years to hear you say that,” I croak, emotion laced between my words. “I love you, Whit. So much. I have never stopped.” Sliding out of my seat, I fall to my knees before Whit, taking his hand in mine. “I promise to never let you forget how much I love you, how much you mean to me. I will never stopshowing you, for as long as I live. You will never, ever question my love for you ever again.”

Bringing his hand up to my cheek, Whit smiles, eyes glistening and his cheeks soaked. “Kiss me, Connie.”

I lean closer, breathing him in as I whisper, “Gladly,” before sealing my lips to his. His arms wrap around my shoulders as I link mine around his waist, and he groans as soon as my tongue rolls against his. He tastes like champagne and feels like finally truly being at home. My chest swells the longer we kiss, my heart beating erratically. Blood pumping hot, it’s easy to lose myself in Whit, suddenly wanting to say screw dinner, and take him upstairs and devour him instead.

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