Page 37 of Salute, To Bravery
“You’re avoiding the question. I thought you didn’t want to get married?” Ian crossed the small kitchen between us and took the other side of the couch.
“It’s . . . complicated.”
“We’ve got time.” Ian pulled the lever on the end of the couch, reclining and propping up his feet.
I glared at him.
“What, should I get the popcorn started first?” His grin only got bigger.
I crossed my arms. “What makes you think I’m gonna talk to you about this?”
“Honey,” his slightly Southern accent stuck to the word, “if I’m going to hide a fugitive, I want to know what I’m getting into.” Now it was his turn to cross his arms.
I sighed. It was hard to argue with him when he had that grin. And he had a point, kind of. “My father and mother are a very wealthy couple. Old money, Legacies, the whole nine yards.” I rubbed my forehead. “They expect me to marry a boy I grew up with, who is from a similar background. They expect me to play the role of the dutiful housewife who runs charities and stays home with the herd of children. Just like every other woman in my family.”
He furrowed his eyebrows. “Don’t you have a college degree?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, but in something completely useless because I listened to my parents. To them, college degrees for women are really only there to make you look better on paper. They don’t expect you to actually use your degree or get a real job.”
Ian pursed his lips, opened his mouth to say something, then clamped it shut again.
“If you wanna say something, do it now,” I gave him permission. Hoping he understood that I knew how ridiculous it sounded.
“First of all, your family is insane. Do they not realize that the real world doesn’t work that way?”
“Their world works that way. That’s the circle they surround themselves with. Old money, old families, small community.” I put my head in my hands and rubbed my face.
“So, they want you to marry this dude that they picked out for you?” I nodded. “Do you even love this guy?”
I dropped my hands and shook my head. “Mom always said you marry in order to make sure you’re taken care of, not for love. Being in love doesn’t mean you’re taken care of in the long run.”
Ian scoffed. “No wonder you didn’t want to be seen as my wife.” He shook his head and wouldn’t look at me.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not up to your standards. I’m just a lowly nurse and an Army vet.”
I could hear the tightness in his voice, his teeth grinding despite his trying to keep his voice even. “Ian, they aren’t my standards, they’re my parents’ standards.”
He sighed and stood from the couch. He started to pace the small kitchen but decided to lean against the counter instead. “I always thought I felt something between us, and I could never figure out why we didn’t just go for it. You never said you weren’t interested, so I thought maybe you needed time or didn’t like coworkers. It never crossed my mind that I was beneath you.” He pursed his lips and ran his hands through his hair.
I wasn’t sure why, but I started to panic. “Ian, I never said you were beneath me.” I stood and crossed the small distance between us to stand in front of him.
“You didn’t have to outright say it, Dottie.” He sighed. “I’m really sorry about my behavior, I wasn’t aware you were already engaged.” He slid past me. “I really misread the situation.”
“Ian, stop.”
“Stop what, Dottie?” he finally snapped at me, the frustration boiling over.
“I don’t want him. That’s why I ran. I don’t want him or that life.” My voice rose.
He took a step toward me, but that put him firmly in my space. Instinctively, I stepped back, effectively becoming pinned between the counter and him. He took a deep breath, feeling it against my skin as he exhaled. He lowered his voice. “No one can force you to do what you don’t want. It doesn’t matter what they try to hold over you.” He tilted my head up by pushing his finger under my chin. “We will get you out, if you want out.”
I tried to stop the tears from spilling over my cheeks as I met his eyes. “I’m scared.”
“We will figure it out. And I’ll be right here, no expectations. Just a friend helping a friend.” He released my chin but kept eye contact. “I really am sorry. I thought you were interested too. I guess my flirt radar is a little rusty.” He laughed sheepishly as he looked down. His cheeks were slightly red, and I had to admit, it was pretty cute.
“I didn’t say I wasn’t interested, Ian.” It was almost a whisper. I’d been so afraid to say it out loud.
