Page 192 of Love Arranged
She rears back. “What?”
“You heard me.” I pause. “Prove to me that we’re over, and I’ll never ask you about our relationship again.”
She shakes her head. “No.”
“No, you don’t want me to do that? Or no, you’re too scared to accept that we will never be over. We weren’t a year ago, and we sure as hell aren’t now.”
Her eyes spark with anger. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because I can’t let you go.”
“I never wanted you to.” Her confession sits heavy between us.
“Good, because I won’t.” I slide my hands through her hair, keeping her head in place. “I’m sorry for ever making you believe I could.”
Her eyes shut, and I lightly tug on her strands so she reopens them.
“I was a fool for thinking I could walk away. I’d rather spend the rest of my life in therapy, working through my personal issues if it means I get to come home to you every day.”
She shakes her head.
“You might not believe me now, but I won’t stop until you do,” I say with absolute certainty. “I’m not running away or giving up if I lose the election, which is why I’ve started therapy now rather than later. Because win or lose, I want to stay in this town and build a life together. It won’t be easy. I won’t deny that, but I do know you’re worth it.
“A few months ago, I stupidly said you were too much for me, but the truth is,I’mthe one who wasn’t enough. I’m still not, and I’m not sure I ever will be, but that won’t stop me from giving you my all, and I’m sorry that my actions made you question that.”
Her eyes water. “What if you change your mind?”
“I won’t. So long as you want to stay here, then I do too.”
“You need to stop saying all the right things.”
I hold her chin. “Why does that upset you so much?”
She looks up, giving me a clear view of her eyes welling with tears. “Because I don’twantto believe what you’re saying.”
I lean forward and tilt her head, leaving enough room for her to be in control of whether she wants to kiss me.
“What are my actions showing you, then?” I ask instead.
Her eyes drop to my mouth. “I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.” I brush her bottom lip with my thumb.
She shakes her head.
“Did you read all my messages on the app?”
She hesitates beforenodding.
“Then youknow, Lily.”
Her chin wobbles. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Why?”
“Because I was tricked by your actions before, and I thought…” Her face turns progressively more red.
“You thought what?”
