Page 94 of The Affair
“I wanted someone to yell at.”
“Come again?”
“I wanted to tell him off—for being a shitty brother, for allowing whatever happened between all of you to go on this long. Family is supposed to love and support each other, no matter what, and he’s failed, Sawyer. They all have.”
My voice had gone horse and loud. The passion behind my words was evident, and as he turned to look at me, I found something I hadn’t expected.
Gratitude.
“You were calling him to defend my honor? I don’t think anyone has ever done that for me.”
I swallowed hard. “I don’t know if it was exactly that,” I answered honestly. “Maybe. But mostly, I wanted answers. I needed to know what they’d done to cause you so much pain.”
“How do you know it was them and not me?” he asked, taking my hand.
“Because I know you,” I answered. “I might not have figured out every facial expression or know every detail of your life, but deep down, I know you Sawyer Gallagher, and whatever pain you are feeling, I want to find the cure.”
Reaching for me, he pulled me close. “Haven’t you figured it out yet, Elle? You are my cure.”
“But your family—” I began.
“Isn’t important,” he finished.
As his lips met mine, I felt relief. My voicemail to Reed had been weighing heavily on me for days, and I’d finally come clean.
But what about Sawyer?
He’d said his family didn’t matter, but I knew that wasn’t true.
They mattered. One way or another, they fit into this complicated puzzle that made up Sawyer’s past.
The question was, would I ever find all the missing pieces?
* * *
“This place is gorgeous.”
Grinning, he took my hand and pulled me into the adorable room that was officially ours for the night. “You said that already.”
“I know,” I answered, taking a moment to soak it all in.
After I’d blurted out my crazy idea for the flea market this weekend and he’d agreed, Sawyer had asked to take the reins when it came to booking a place.
I’d figured he had something up his sleeve, but this went beyond my greatest expectations.
“How did you even find a place like this?” I asked, running my hands over the exquisite furnishings that adorned our spacious room.
“Google,” he answered with a laugh. “I wanted our first time away to be special, and I had a feeling you might be more the bed-and-breakfast type girl than a big, fancy hotel.”
“It’s perfect,” I said. “When did the owner say it was built?” Taking a look out the window, I couldn’t help but admire the serene view that encompassed it; tall, mature trees and a sparkling river. It was like something out of a Nicholas Sparks movie.
“I think it dates back to the Civil War. I believe she included a pamphlet in the paperwork she gave us. Do you want me to fish it out?”
Turning toward him, I shook my head. “No. I don’t feel like reading.”
A small smile crept up his face. “So, food then?”
I shook my head again, taking a step in his direction. He copied me, closing the gap between us.
