Page 88 of Caught Up In You (The Monroes 2)

But more than anything, she’d been given a wake-up call. So many facts revealed to her, facts she’d not wanted to see before.

When her doorbell rang, she knew without a doubt who would be standing on the other side. She could stay in her bedroom and ignore Braxton, or she could answer the door and face this head-on. The end result would be the same regardless and broken hearts were inevitable.

Pulling a deep breath, she held her hand out and felt for the doorjamb as she headed out into the hall. The bell chimed again.

“Cora, I know you’re in there. Answer the door so I know you’re okay.”

The worry in his tone had her feeling guilty, but she couldn’t back down on what needed to be done. No matter how much she’d come to care for him—okay, she actually loved the man—she needed to do this. And she’d thought trying to live independently took courage . . . that step was nothing compared to what she was about to do.

Her fingers slid over the lock, hesitating before turning. She wished tonight would end differently, but...

There were no buts. Tonight was going to end the way it should and she’d have to take a step back.

As she pulled the door open, Heidi brushed against Cora’s bare leg.

“Why did you leave?” Braxton asked. “Are you feeling all right?”

He’d stepped over the threshold, his body brushing against hers. No, she was not okay.

Cora didn’t back up. She couldn’t let him in any farther. Strength and courage had to become her friends right now.

“I wasn’t feeling well.” Understatement.

Braxton’s thumb brushed just beneath her eye. “You’ve been crying.”

No way to hide that. She’d always been that ugly crier. No delicate tears for her. She had no doubt the tip of her nose was red, her cheeks were splotchy, and her eyes puffy. She’d cried so hard after Brock left, she now had a killer headache. Stupid emotions. She’d never had to worry about this before, she’d never felt this way, so the whole experience was new and she was about to sever this bond.

“I started thinking about you, about us.” Cora gripped the hem of her nightgown, praying she held it together long enough to set him free. “This moved so fast and with the resort opening and you’ll be going back to teaching in a few weeks, plus my family . . . I’m just—”

Braxton gripped her shoulders. “What the hell are you saying? What changed from the moment we shared hours ago until you left?”

Cora closed her eyes and inhaled his familiar, masculine aroma. “I had time to think about everything, to fully see the impact this resort would have on the community and how important it is to your family. I want to be part of that, I plan on doing everything to help make this a success, but moving forward with a serious relationship isn’t—”

“Bullshit. Did you overhear me talking to Anna? Is that what this is?”

“I didn’t overhear you.” That was the absolute truth. “I know you . . . talked.”

“How?” he demanded.

Cora stepped back, causing his hands to fall away. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you need to focus on making your sister’s dream come true. I need to focus on what I’m going to do about my family and still maintain my life here because I really do love it.”

“What about me? Do you love me?”

Her heart clenched. She loved him more than she’d ever thought possible, but after the run-in with Anna, Cora wasn’t sure if Braxton was honestly ready for something more.

The fact was he’d been reckless before meeting Cora. What if he grew tired of being with a blind woman? What if he wanted to move on to a woman who was perfect and not flawed? She’d never wanted to think that, but after Anna’s jabs, Cora had to face reality and the real possibility that Braxton might not be on the same page she was.

It was better to let go now than to have to later. Too much was on the line, even more than emotions. Cora needed to let him go, she needed to let herself go. It was the only way. Their relationship developed so fast, had become so intense, she had to figure out if this was the right move.

Working for his family would complicate things, but he’d see things her way once he had time to think. And maybe she could move on. Maybe.

“We can’t do this anymore,” she whispered, ignoring his question. “I’m going back to Atlanta for a few days and I’ll be back before the opening day of Bella Vous to get everything in my room in order and ready to go. I need to see my parents, though. I have so much to tie up with them.”

“And I’m not invited.” His voice had taken on a cold tone, a distant tone. “Why are you doing this?”

“It’s for the best.”

“Damn it, Cora. Stop being so vague with your answers and tell me what the hell is going on.”

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