Page 95 of Tangled Kisses
With those words, I’ve sealed my fate.
Do I regret saying them? Not one bit.
Lauren releases a small sigh, and when I dare to meet her gaze, a funny curve quirks her lips. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re in love? Reese, I assume?”
Nodding, I take another drink of my beer. “She’s everything.”
“Then why are you sittinghere?”
“Because you’re my friend. You came all this way to talk, and I owed it to you to hear you out. Plus, I thought maybe my business proposal was enough on its own and that we could make a deal and then Reese and I could celebrate a new life together. A fool’s folly, I guess.”
“It’s not foolish to believe in love, but you understand my position.”
The gauntlet has been thrown. One last chance to change my mind and live a life on easy street.
“I appreciate your offer, Lauren. I do. But I’ll gladly muck stalls for the rest of my days if it means coming home to Reese.”
Lauren sips her wine, her long fingers fiddling with the condensation on the table. “Kind of figured you’d say that. Don’t blame you. Reese loves you, too.”
“She’s fighting it, but yeah, I think she does.”
At least, if she meant what she told me earlier.
Her eyes narrow, studying me with a mix of curiosity and sympathy. “Do you believe in true love, Griffin?”
The question catches me off guard. I look at her, really look at her, and for the first time in years, I don’t dodge. I don’t lie.
“I didn’t,” I admit, my voice thick with emotion. “But then I met her. And now I can’t believe in anything else.”
Lauren’s expression changes—just a flicker, but enough. Understanding. Acceptance. The realization that this isn’t some fling. That, for the first time in my life, I’m in love.
And God help me, it terrifies me. Because I’ve never been allowed the luxury of loving someone. Not since I sold my body for survival. Not since I traded pieces of myself that I can never get back.
But with Reese, it’s different. It’s real. And I know it.
Terror coils low in my gut, tangling with claws of anger. Because I was so damn close.
Not two hours ago, Reese was in my arms, her walls crumbling. I felt it—the way she melted against me, the way every ounce of resistance she’d built against love, against me, was shriveling up and falling away.
Now? It feels like a steel wall has been erected in its place, high and impenetrable. And I hate it. I hate that I let her walk away thinking I’d trade her for money and a mansion.
Lauren remains quiet for several moments before murmuring, “I think you broke her heart tonight. Hell, I helped, and that was never my intention.”
“I know. She wants me to be happy. Healthy. She doesn’t realize I need her in order for that to happen.”
If that’s even a possibility anymore.
I drag a hand down my face. The truth lodges in my throat, too raw to speak aloud. Reese’s voice continues to echo in my head.I can’t fall in love with you.
She thinks she can’t—but I know better. I’ll crawl on my hands and knees through fire if she takes that chance.
Lauren leans back and slides her purse over her shoulder. “That settles it then. Time for me to head home and time for you to find the woman you love.”
“Sorry you came all this way for nothing.”
“Not for nothing. I saw you.” She pushes her glass aside and rises, smoothing her blouse. Then, almost shyly, she extends her hand across the table. “We’re still friends, aren’t we?”
“Absolutely,” I reply without hesitation, clasping her hand. “Always.”
