Page 66 of Lead Me Knot

“Baylor?” My eyes begin following her hand as it waves in front of my face.Did I pass out?I’m still standing, so maybe not. When I look at her, her brows are squeezed together in the middle, eyes weighed down at the outside corners in concern, and her lips are parted as she speaks. “You still with me?”

“I’m,” I start, shaking the blankness off as every word she said comes rushing back. “I’m fine. What do you mean marry?”

“I was using the traditional definition. Latin root,maritare,meaning to wed.”

“Not literally.” I rest my palms on the cool stone of the counter, taking a long breath. “I’m confused why you’re asking me to marry you. We’ve been dating for, what? Just over a month.”

“Six weeks to be exact, if we’re counting the night you broke into my apartment.” The comment is so off the cuff, I’m convinced she believes it.

“Can we not have our story start like I’m a serial killer? I had the key.”

“Technically, you took the key from under the plant.”

“Okay, let’s dig ourselves out of the weeds and get back to what’s going on now.” I reach into the fridge and pull out a bottle of beer. She wasn’t wrong when she suggested it. “Drink?”

“Water works.”

I set a bottle of cold water from the fridge on the counter for her, then twist the cap off the beer. I finish half before I say, “Why do I feel like I missed half the story? I’m not saying you’re not carefree when you want to be, but this seems like a big leap.”

Taking a long breath ofher own, she finally sets the knife down and says, “Can we talk? Really talk? I know we’re new at this dating each other thing, but I’m in a world of trouble. There’s no one I can talk to about it, so if you can’t help me, maybe you can give me advice.”

“You can talk to me. Your secrets are safe.” I guide her by the hand to the couch. We sit, leaving space between us. She appears to get comfortable after angling my way. Though I’m still on edge. Dating is one thing.Marriage?That can’t be tossed out like it’s no big deal.

“Start from the beginning and land here asking me to marry you.”

She reaches over and touches my leg. “The new property management company almost doubled my rent.” She swallows, a wave of emotion choking her throat as she picks at a knot on my jeans. It’s only a momentary lapse before she raises her chin. “I know this sounds wild, and honestly, it is an outlandish idea, but I’m backed in a corner, and all I can do at this point is fight.” I’ve not seen this side of her. Both feist and fear work through her expression as her thoughts appear to solidify, her worry winning out.

My heart races, my stomach lurching with each word she speaks. Shame coats the back of my throat, and rage clenches my fists. Like her, I struggle to land on the emotion that best suits this situation—fighting spirit or anger that this has happened in the first place.

Slipping my hand under hers, I hold it in my palm, noticing her lithe fingers and how delicate and soft they feel. “Take your time. It’s going to be okay,” I say as much for myself as it is for her.

Her exhale is calming and steady, and her tears subside before following, leaving her eyes still glistening with trust in me. I’m the one who betrayed her, and she’s come to me for help. God, I’m a fucking asshole who’s about to lose the best thing that’s happened to me when I didn’t even know this was going on behind the scenes.Unacceptable.

I need to fix this.Whatever it takes.

“He said I need to be married to get the loan . . .” It only takes a few minutes for her to work through the remaining details of the leasing agent’s surprise visit and then her trip to the bank. “I begged,” she says.Begged . . .she had to fucking beg because of me. “I can’t afford that on my own, but the bank won’t approve me for the loan. I've just taken over as owner, and I’m going to lose the shop. It’s a staple in the town. It’s . . . you know. There’s not much else. What will I do? Move away?”

“You’re not moving,” I say with a ferocity that comes from my gut.

“You can’t guarantee that, Baylor.”

“I will.” I hadn’t shared that I bought the building, not with anyone back home, and now is probably not the time. It wasn’t a big deal I was actively focusing on. I just put the pieces in place to manage it, and now I’m watching her world fall apart because of my actions. “You can put stock in my word.”

I’m now left with two concerns of my own forming.

One.Why the fuck did that real estate management company raise the rent? At no point did I direct that to be done. I wouldn’t have. It’s the opposite of the purpose I had in buying it. I wanted to support the community.Not make it go under.

Two.The impact of my part hits deeper than anyone’s aware. If she finds out, we’re done standing on the cusp of being great together.Fuck!I don’t want to lose her.

Looking down at how trusting she is, her hand still resting on my leg, I scratch the back of my neck as guilt starts to consume me.

Her energy shifts, and a sweet smile I missed seeing so damn much appears on her lips. “But here’s the kicker,” she says as I sit in silence, kicking my own ass for creating this nightmare for her. “Getting married will benefit you as well.”

I dart my gaze to her, trying not to look as thrown off as I am. I’m usually well-rehearsed in controlling my reactions. I must be in my business dealing with clients, but leave it to Lauralee to figure out how to throw me off my game. “I can’t wait to hear this,” I say, “but I’m fucking starving. Are you hungry? We can talk over a meal, or I can order in?”

She wraps her arms around her waist. “I’m starving, and you’re right. I didn’t even get a tour of the place before I launched into this whole mess.” She pushes up and straightens the skirt of her dress. “Is this okay?”

I stand, needing to touch her, hold her, kiss her so all-consumingly that the craving becomes unbearable. I take her in my arms and do just that. Kissing her feels like the perfect spring day back in Texas, tastes like the strawberries we’re both so fond of, and her body fits against mine like we were made for each other.

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