Page 74 of Gravity of Love
Those were lies.
Her eyes closed, and her entire body tingled, remembering the way that Liam’s eyes had scanned her from head to toe when she’d walked out of the bathroom and she’d felt it like a physical touch. Sure, she’d been wearing only a bra and underwear, but how many times had she walked around in the same state of undress, or less, in front of Tristan, and he hadn’t even noticed.
It wasn’t just the way Liam looked at her, though that alone was enough to send her heart into arrhythmia, it was the way he’d made her feel seen. The way her stomach had done somersaults when he’d noticed the bruise on her hip and his thumb had brushed over it before he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her with such reverence. The way he’d not only put her mind at ease but also given her one of the best compliments of her life when she’d felt so nervous about going into his niece’s birthday party and he referenced her favorite movie,Keeping the Faith, saying that, “God was showing off when he made her.” Or when he kissed her up against the wall like his life depended on it when she believed he’d regretted spending the night with her because of her. When he made upgrades to Yaya’s house, so she was safe. When he ran and picked up the jeep so it would be parked outside when she woke up. Remembering—no justknowing—what her favorite flowers were without her ever telling him.
It wasn’t just the words he said or the way he looked at her and how touched her, it was that he knew every part of her, the way he treated the people she loved like they were also important to him. It was his actions. In a matter of days, Liam made Frankie feel more seen, more desired, more…lovedthan Tristan had in eight years.
How was that possible?
“Frankie!”
Tristan’s raised voice cut through the crowded and loud voices that were in her head. She blinked as she spun to look at him.
“What?”
“Were you listening to me?” he snapped.
His question instantly caused her entire body to tense. It had been a point of contention in their relationship that she ‘zoned out’ or ‘drifted off’ too much. She knew it was rude, and she really had tried to stop doing it, but she couldn’t help herself.
Her imagination had always been extremely active. It was her safe place. She did get lost in her own thoughts a lot of the time. Sometimes that was a good thing, a lot of times that was a bad thing. If overthinking was an Olympic sport, she’d take the gold every year.
“Why did you love me?” she asked him.
“What?” He glanced over at her. “What are you talking about?”
“Why did you love me?” she repeated the question.
“WhydidI love you? What is this, some sort of trap?”
“No, it’s not?—”
“Is this some sort of test? You know I don’t like tests.”
“It’s not a test.” She sighed. “Fine, why did you ask me to marry you?”
“Where is this coming from?” he barked defensively.
“I’m just curious,” she kept her tone light and calm.
His fingers opened, then flexed on the steering wheel. “I’ve known you my whole life. I trust you. I know you’re not just after me for my money. My mom loved you.”
“Yeah, those arenotgood reasons to ask someone to marry them.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying you loved me as a friend, for all the reasons you just said. But you were neverinlove with me. How could you be? You didn’t know me. You don’t know me.”
“What are you talking about? Of course I know you! I just said I’ve known you my whole life.”
“What are my favorite flowers?”
“This again?Seriously?!”
“I’m not fighting with you.” She knew this was coming out wrong. “I’m trying to tell you that it’sgoodthat you cheated on me…because we were idiots. My need to make the best of things and make everyone happy and you wanting to marry me because I represent your home, when your life was safe and happy before you lost your mom, would have been the biggest mistake of our lives. We probably should never have gotten together, but wedefinitelyshould never have stayed together. We haven’t had sex in?—”
“Yeah, and whose fault is that?”
“I’m not saying it’s anyone’s fault. I was going to say, I didn’t even notice. And you didn’t bring it up.”
