Page 46 of Greedy Grizzly
“We weren’t supposed to catch feelings for each other.”
“Well, I feel like a fool. Did you honestly believe I didn’t feel more for you? You met my parents and brothers. I took you to our annual family reunion in the Hamptons. We spent this last Christmas with my family.”
God, he was right. How could I be so blind? I’d been wrapped up in all the wonderful in my life, I hadn’t paid attention. I’d gone from a poor nobody to Bryan Callahan’s Cleveland lover, all the while, believing nothing would ever change. Or eventually, he’d end it and move on to someone else. I had been blindly living in the moment.
I cradled his face in my hands. “I’m so sorry. I never meant for this to happen.”
“Is it my age?”
“What? No. No. Of course, not.” I caressed his cheeks. “Nothing like that.”
“Then what? You have to give me something, Lydia. After all this time, how can you not love me? Were you just using me for my money?”
“Sit down.” I led him to the leather sofa. I wanted to keep my demons locked away, but I would not let him think the worst of me. But after today, I would never allow another man to get so close to me.
Love, marriage, and children weren’t in the cards for me.
“I’m listening,” he said impatiently.
“You know my mom died at the young age of forty-two.”
“Yes, and?”
“Bridget and I have both tested positive for the genetic variant. We have a fifty percent chance of contracting it, andother types of cancers.”I teared up as the horrible words left my lips. Just telling him my secret seemed to make it all real.
“Oh, baby. Why didn’t you tell me?” He wrapped me in his embrace and held me tightly. “I’ll get you the best doctors in the world. You’ll be okay.”
“You can’t promise I won’t get cancer.” I reared back. “And what about children? I won’t burden my kid with the possibility of cancer. I won’t do it.”
Understanding crossed his face. “Oh…”
“You mentioned having a baby is a condition for receiving your inheritance. A biological child to carry on the Callahan name.”
“I don’t care what my parents’ say. I love you, and nothing else matters to me.”
I launched to my feet as the first tear fell. He was going to make me hurt him…
Another text chimed, pulling me back to the present. My face was wet, and I was breathing rapidly.Dammit, Bryan.The awful things I’d said to him still haunted me.
Bridget: I hope to see you there.
Libby: I’ll be there.
Bridget was only thirty-four, three years younger than my mom was when she’d been diagnosed. It was happening. My sister was part of the fifty percent. Did that mean I was too? Or maybe I was the lucky fifty percent.
I flung my phone on the bed and cried into my hands. This was why I had ended things with Bryan and never missed an annual appointment to get my ladies smooshed. I checked myself religiously as my doctor had recommended so I’d know what my breasts felt like while cancer free.
Then, hopefully, I’d noticed the slightest change or lump, well before my mom had. I also maintained a healthy diet and exercised.
A hand gripped my shoulder and startled me. “Lib, what’s wrong?”
I turned around and threw myself into Grizzly’s arms. “You’re back!”
“You’re freaking me out. What happened?”
“Don’t ask me questions. Just hold me.” And there I sobbed for what felt like hours. Grizzly hadn’t spoken a single word. He always respected my wishes. Never forced anything on me. And I loved him for it.
I wasin lovewith Landon Graves.
