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“He did,” I admit. “He did ask me. And I had no idea…” I move towards her. “I had no idea that you would end up meaning so much to me.”
Her shoulders tense before she slams a white envelope down. “You said it was a mistake.”
I step up next to her. She won’t look at me, but I can see her profile. “It was.”
She bites down on her lip, hurt written all over that beautiful face, but I keep going. It’s not what she thinks it is.
“It was a mistake to kiss you and touch you when I couldn’t make you mine.” I take another step closer. “I let my guard down. I was selfish and I kissed you. I kissed you because I couldn’t stand the thought of anyone else getting to. I kissed you knowing I was leaving. I kissed you knowing I could never tell your brother I was falling in love with his seventeen year old sister. And it wasn’t fair to you.”
Her face jerks up to mine as I continue stepping towards her, rushing her until her back hits the wall. I move slowly, caging her in with my arms. “That night….” I could barely get the words out.
“I wasn’t stupid, Greyson. I knew us, wasn’t something that could happen. I mean look at me.” She waves a hand over her body. “I can’t compete with the kind of women you’ve been with. I’m plain. I’m simple……I’m deaf.” Her lips tremble as she turns her chin away, but I grip it gently in my fingers, turning her back towards me.
Her eyes shine, glossy from the tears she refuses to let fall.
I pinch slightly to get her attention. “What you are is fucking perfect.”
She sucks in a deep breath, her eyes searching my face. I was already in this deep, so I let it all out.
“You deserved the world and at the time I wasn’t able to give it to you.” My fingers brush a piece of hair out of her face. “But I can now. And I would.” I peer into her eyes, baring my soul to her in the only way I knew how. “I know you are supposed to marry him, and I know I have no right to show up and make these declarations, but these feeling are nothing new to me, Rosie. If I thought for one second, you were in love with him. That he was the love of your life, and he was the man you wanted to grow old with I would walk away.” A tear falls down her cheek, so I swipe it with the pad of my thumb. “I would. Because your happiness means everything to me.”
“Greyson…” she whispers.
I could feel my throat swelling with emotion. “I’m sorry.” My hands cup her face. “All these years. All the distance. There hasn’t been one second of any day that was not spent loving you.”
I lean my forehead against hers. “I just needed you to know.”
She nods, no words forming on her mouth. I place a kiss on her forehead and reach for the door.
The only thing I can do now was pray that she believes me.
Chapter 27
Tilly
The Past
“I’m shocked you agreed to this” I whisper with a quiet laugh.
“It’s eight degrees outside. This is better than freezing my ass off watching you skate.” Greyson slides down in his chair.
There’s only a handful of people in the movie theater.
He hates scary movies, while I find them intriguing. I don’t know if it’s the adrenaline, the impulsive decisions, or how one reacts to the fight for survival. I just like it. And apparently the badass football player next to me is less than intrigued.
“Are you going to be on your phone the entire time?” I question.
He glances at me. “I’m only here for moral support.”
“You’re here because you’re hiding from your dad,” I quip.
“I’m a grown ass man. I don’t hide, Rosie,” he scoffs.
The movie starts up, so I sign instead of interrupting the people three rows behind us.
Then your grown ass should be able to watch this. I sign before pointing to the screen.
Keep it up. He signs. I’d hate to have to bend you over my knee for your smart mouth.
