Page 322 of The First Time
They don't feel like a lie anymore.
Fiona unzips her purse. "I would have done the same thing. I did do the same thing and I had it much easier."
"I should go."
"This is no questions asked." She pulls something out of her purse. A check. She unfolds it and sets it on the table. "If you need money, here it is. It's more than enough to get you on track."
She pushes the check towards me.
It's for a hundred thousand dollars.
Holy shit.
"Take the money. Or don't. It's your choice." She stares into my eyes. "I know what you must think of me. I'm a bitch. I'm okay with that. But Blake has spent his entire life protecting me. This time, I'm going to protect him."
I push the check back. "I don't want your money."
"Then tear this in half right now."
I can't. My fingers won't move.
She's right.
I need options.
This is an option.
One that might spare me from a lot of heartache.
I'm already falling in love with Blake.
Can I really survive living with him?
Marrying him?
Proclaiming to the entire world that he'll be mine forever?
"Maybe you really do love him, Kat, but he's never going to love you. He's married to his job. That will never change." She stands. Her eyes get apologetic. "If you really do love him, if you can handle coming second every night, then tear that check up. Marry him. Get rich and bored waiting by the door every night."
I swallow hard.
She's telling the truth. Her truth at least.
I believe she's doing this for Blake.
Hell, I believe she's doing this for me.
I slide the check into my pocket.
Blake is never going to love me.
But I might be able to walk away before I'm in too deep.
I might be able to wipe away all this deception.
I might be able to survive this one.
I've made too many decisions on my own. I've done too much under pressure.
For once, I'm asking for help.
For once, I'm considering my options.
