Page 57 of The Billionaire's Kiss
Will I die sad and alone because I won’t let go of the man I cannot have?
I wasn’t ready to date, much less have a relationship. And Killian seemed to want the kind of relationship that would end in marriage. “Look, I’m not sure what to say to you.”
“Say that you’ll give me one more chance to show you that I can be the man you deserve. I’m working with my father in his groundskeeping business now. He’s styling me to take over once he’s ready to retire. One day, the business will be mine. And any successful man needs a good woman behind him. You’re that woman for me, Orla.”
“You’ve been bouncing from job to job for years, Killian. How can you expect me to believe that you’ll stick around for this one?” He was asking for a great deal of trust from me.
“This will bemybusiness one day, Orla. Why would you think that I would leave it? You act like you don’t even know me.” He took another drink as he scowled at me over the rim.
I didn’t really know him. I knew many things about him. But I didn’t know who he was when he disappeared from town. “And how would I know you when you’ve left me high and dry so many times?”
His eyes drooped at the outer corners. “Will you ever let me live that down, lass?”
If he didn’t like hearing the truth, he shouldn’t have sought me out. “Look, Killian, I’m not the same person I was when you and I were together. It’s been over a year, and I’ve changed. I’m not about to beat about the bush, trying not to hurt your feelings. I’m into being honest and real with people now. And honestly, I don’t know you anymore.”
“I’ve changed too, ya know.” He huffed, puffing out his chest. “You’re not the only one who can grow as a person.”
The one thing I could say about Killian that I couldn’t say about any other man in Kenmare was that I did have a past with him. I did know him better than I knew any of my past boyfriends—save Warner.
At the thought of the man, I found myself shaking my head. “I’m not at a place in my life where I feel that I can give my all to you, Killian. So I’m sorry, but you’re wasting your time with me.”
“Please, Orla. Please, give me a chance to show you that I’m not the same man you knew back then. I’m no longer the irresponsible, selfish man. But you won’t know that if you don’t give me a chance. Giveusa chance. Please.”
How can I do that when my heart belongs to someone else?
But I’d have to give someone a chance eventually, wouldn’t I?
