Page 36 of Ripple Effect
“That’s Libby,” I confirm.
“You’re a lucky son of a bitch, Cal.”
“Of that, I’m aware.”
My lips quirk as Bruce ticks off a small list about Libby that doesn’t delve into the depth that I would describe her. “She’s gorgeous, feisty, smart from all accounts, and despite being a terrible diver, she has a direct line to God, ’cause she apparently works miracles. Look at you.”
I glance down, seeing my own custom rig, and raise a brow in question.
He goes on. “I’ve never seen you smile until today, let alone laugh. And she tolerates you trotting around the world trying to save it?” Bruce shakes his head.
I squirm a bit at the last. “She knows I work for a contractor named Alliance, but she doesn’t know the extent of what we do. All she knows is it involves security and it’s classified.”
Bruce’s arm drops from my back, making me feel like I’ve lost something precious that I never had before. Acceptance.
“You have to tell her, Cal.”
“I have to do what I think is right for her.” I stop moving and face my longtime friend. “I have to protect her. That’s my constant mission. You saw her up there.” I jerk my thumb up to the cloudless blue sky above us. “What do you think she would do if she knew I had to do that on occasion?”Walk away.The painful thought whispers through my mind.
He opens his mouth and shuts it. “Basing your love on a lie is going to come back and bite you in the ass.”
“I’m not lying to her,” I insist.
“If you’re not lying to her, you’re lying to yourself. What you’re keeping from her is a large part of who you are.”
“What I’m keeping from her is what we keep hidden from any number of people,” I retort.
“She’s not just anyone.”
“No, she’s precious to me. All I want is for her to just be as happy as she is today for the rest of her life.”
Bruce looks at me pityingly. “Then keep lying.” He holds up his hand as I start to protest. “Because in the long run, it won’t work. She either accepts you—all of you—or your love is going to wash up on the rocks. She may have trepidation, but your job as someone who loves her is to get her past her fear. Hell, Cal. You could have taken her on that jump today. Why didn’t you?”
A tick in my jaw betrays me. I don’t say a word.
Bruce continues. “A woman as unique as Libby Akin has been made out to be doesn’t strike me as the type to waste her time on someone who won her heart through lies. If all the stories I’ve heard about her over the years are even partially true, a woman who has a heart that enormous?” Bruce steps back. “Then it’s you who’s in trouble. Just be honest with her and you’ll never have to wonder if today will be the day she walks away and you can protect her from the world you’re so afraid of hurting her.” With those last parting words, Bruce gathers his parachute in his arms and starts to walk away.
I stand stock-still for a few moments. I can’t lose the light that Libby has brought to my life. Now that I know I have her love, I’ll do anything to protect it.
Anything.
Even if that means hiding the parts of me I know will send her running away.
22
Elizabeth
Twelve Years Ago from Present Day
I’m excited Cal will be back from his trip tomorrow. Thank goodness this one was only a few days. I giggle to myself as I type a few notes into my computer. “You’d think he’s taking over some third-world country.”
“Did you say something, Libby?” One of my interns pops his head in. “Need anything?”
“No, Leland. Thanks for asking, honey.”
“Of course. Saw you managed to sell the grandfather clock today?” There’s awe in his voice. “How many more days until that beast is moved?”
Quickly pulling up the schedule, I announce, “Two weeks.” Leaning back in my chair, I casually toss out, “How would you like to help me rearrange the display?”
