Page 92 of A Me and You Thing
“Hold me? Because that’s all you’re free to do?” My voice cracks pathetically. It hurts to look at him, to hear his voice, to be in the same room as him. It hurts so much I can hardly stand it. I know he’s worried about my health, and I know he had to end his engagement before he felt comfortable coming to me. But I’m also well aware that his ex is now down the hall and lovemaking is out of the question. It would just be too weird.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask.
“There’s no reason for you to stress over the situation. Now that you’re home, I only want you, Quinn. Just you. It’s me and you, it’s always been me and you.”
My face distorts and I know an ugly cry is imminent.
“Please don’t cry.”
“I don’t know what else to do.”
“You’re my wife, and I love you,” he says in a rough whisper. “It’s as simple as that. Don’t complicate it.”
I lay down on the carpeted floor, and that’s all the permission he needs. He curls up behind me, spooning me. His arms wrap around my torso, and I grasp onto him tightly. It feels so good to be in his arms. Safe and secure.
“Is Bree still here?” I ask.
“Yes. She lives here. This has been her home while she’s taken care of the girls. I can’t ask her to leave just yet. Josie and Jordyn are attached to her. I can’t do that to them. Or to her.”
The circumstances put all of us in an awkward situation.
“How much did you hear, Quinn?”
“A lot. Enough to realize what’s going on.”
“I’m sorry you had to find out that way.”
I remain quiet.
“I hate hurting her. Especially after all she’s done.”
She’s been taking care of my daughters. But she also developed a relationship with my husband. On one hand, I’m very grateful to her. On the other hand, I’m heart sick. I decide to be blunt. No playing games. “Tell me the truth. Are you in love with her?”
“Yeah, I love her. But I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you.”
I frown in the darkness. How can his answer be so good and yet so bad? The thing is, I know he loves me. I have no doubt about it. He’s breaking his engagement to be with me, his legal wife. That says so much.
But is that what he wants? In his heart, does he really prefer to be with Bree? Is his newly found love stronger than ours ever was? I need to know.
Sawyer is ado the right thingkind of guy. That’s why he’s being noble and not coming to my bed while I’m recovering, and while he’s engaged to another woman at the same time. It begs the question: Have I becomethe right thing to do?
“Don’t worry about it, Quinn. Don’t give it another thought. I’ll make it right.”
I cringe. I don’t want to bethe right thing to do. I want him to want me, to prefer me. “I’m not sure you can.”
“No, but I’ll try.”
“I’m sorry I’ve messed up your life.”
He lifts his head, hovering above me. “Don’t ever say that again,” he says quietly. “Your return puts my life right back where I want it to be.”
I turn and look up at him. “I want our life back. Is that too much to ask for?”
“No, I want it too. We’ll have it, Quinn. We already do.”
“Do we?”
“You’re home. That’s all that matters to me.”
