Page 68 of Hate the One You're With
“Why are you here?” I ask, my voice catching slightly as I take him in.
“To prepare dinner, of course,” he replies, his smile widening, the kind that makes you forget why you were ever annoyed in the first place.
“No, I mean, how did you even know I was here?” I press, trying to regain some composure.
“Aww, did you really think I didn’t know about this apartment, baby?” he laughs, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. “Sweetheart, I know everything you own. I just didn’t bring it up because I wasn’t planning on leaving you high and dry.”
“What were you planning, then?” I ask, folding my arms, though it’s hard to keep up the pretense of indifference when he’s looking at me like that.
He shrugs, the movement causing his jacket to stretch across his broad shoulders. “Honestly? I’m not sure anymore. I was acting out of hate. Have you ever hated someone so much because you love them, but you can’t be with them?” His eyes soften, that vulnerability peeking through his rugged exterior.
I stare at him, my defenses starting to crumble.
“The thing is,” he continues, his voice dropping to a near whisper, “I was just acting out of anger and frustration. I wanted you to pay for what your grandmother did to me—to us. I was blinded by fear and resentment, and I let it control me.”
“Nice speech, now you can leave. As I recall?—”
“Em, I’m here to prepare you dinner, get to know my wife,and ask her for a second chance,” he says, cutting me off before I can protest. His voice is warm, but there’s a determined edge to it that makes me pause. His blue eyes, full of sincerity and a hint of mischief, lock onto mine as he continues, “May I please come inside?”
“Why would I want to do this again, Caleb?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady, though his presence is already unraveling me.
He flashes that charming grin, the one that could melt even the iciest resolve, and steps closer, his rugged, irresistible appeal almost too much to handle. “Let me put these bags down somewhere, and then I’ll give you several reasons,” he says, his tone playful but with an undercurrent of seriousness that makes me hesitate.
“I—”
“If they’re not good enough, you can kick me out,” he adds quickly, his grin softening into something more tender. There’s a vulnerability in his eyes now, a plea for understanding that tugs at my heart.
I want to stay firm, to keep the distance between us, but there’s something about the way he looks at me that makes it impossible. I step aside, allowing him to enter, even though every part of me screams to keep the door closed.
“You have two minutes,” I say, trying to sound as icy as I can manage.
He grins again. “That’s plenty of time.”
Before I can react, Caleb suddenly drops to one knee, his eyes never leaving mine. My breath catches in my throat as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box. When he opens it, the platinum band inside glistens softly. But it’s thediamond in the center that steals my attention—radiant, brilliant, like a shard of captured sunlight. On either side, two emeralds cradle it, their deep green a striking contrast, while the sapphires lining the band add a richness, a depth that feels almost royal.
The sight of the ring, so beautiful and carefully chosen, makes my heart stutter. For a moment, the world narrows down to just the two of us, standing there in the quiet of my apartment.
“Em,” he begins, his voice steady but filled with emotion, “I love the way you make me a better person. Every day, you inspire me to be the best version of myself. I was a fool for not realizing it sooner.”
I feel my heart skip a beat as he continues, “I love how you challenge me. You never let me get away with anything, and I need someone who pushes me to grow, even when it’s uncomfortable.”
A soft, incredulous laugh escapes me, but he’s not done. “I love your smile,” he says, his own lips curving up as he says it. “It’s the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I see before I close my eyes—your smile lights up my world.”
He looks so sincere, so completely vulnerable, and yet there’s a playful glint in his eyes. “I love how you know me better than I know myself. You see right through me, and you always know what I need, even before I do.”
His hand trembles slightly as he reaches for mine. “I love your fierce independence. Your strength and independence make you the incredible woman you are, and I admire that more than you know.”
Tears prick at my eyes, but he keeps going, each word chipping away at the walls I’ve built around my heart. “I love the way you love, Em. You love with your whole heart, and it’s the most beautiful, selfless thing I’ve ever experienced—I can’t imagine my life without it.”
I want to tell him to stop, that it’s too much, but he just smiles and adds, “I love how you make the ordinary extraordinary. With you, even the simplest moments—like grocery shopping or watching TV—become special and full of joy.”
I laugh softly, shaking my head, but he’s relentless. “I love your laugh. It’s contagious, and hearing it is like music to my ears. It’s a sound I never want to stop hearing.”
He takes a deep breath, looking me straight in the eyes. “I love that you make me want to be worthy of you. I’ve made mistakes, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to prove that I’m the man who deserves to spend his life with you—because you’re the love of my life.”
There’s a beat of silence, and then, with a teasing grin, he adds, “And I’ve finally learned how to load the dishwasher correctly. No more upside-down bowls or pots where the plates go.”
I let out a surprised laugh, and he continues, “I’ll deliver a lifetime supply of your favorite chocolate—no strings attached. And I swear I’ll never try to ‘fix’ anything around the house again. No more DIY disasters that end with us calling an actual professional.”
