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His eyes fly wide. “Of course you’re not.”
“And yet you still felt the need to give Sam some sort of permission?”
Bishop’s eyes narrow, and his voice comes out a growl. “It wasn’t permission. It was…I don’t know…relinquishing rights.”
At that, I scoff, and he winces.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“There’s no good way to explain it.”
“Fine, there’s no good way to explain it. But the full truth is that he wanted to ask you out, and for whatever reason—whether it’s my history with you or my friendship with him—he wanted to make sure he wasn’t stepping on toes. Okay?”
“No. It’s not okay. It’s misogynistic. And insulting. And…rude, on so many levels.”
“Get off your high horse, Gabi. You know me and know I would never think I have any…rights to you.” He pauses just briefly. “It would be no different than if Nicole asked you if it was okay to pursue me, okay? I didn’t come up with the rules. It’s just…social etiquette or something.”
My nostrils flare, something inside me recoiling at the idea of Nicole and Bishop.
“Well that’s a stupid example because that would never happen.”
His eyes narrow. “Why?”
“Because.”
“Because why?”
Clenching my hands in fists at my sides, I glare at him. “I don’t want to do this with you.”
“Well tough shit. You showed up here, wanting to talk. So we’re gonna talk. We’re sorting this out. Right here, right now.”
“There’s nothing to sort out, Bishop.”
“There’s plenty,” he tosses back. “Why did you kiss me?”
I scoff, turning away from him and staring out the window.
“Tell me, Gabi.”
Shaking my head, I just stand there, my arms crossed and my eyes beginning to sting with the tears that are surely soon to threaten to fall. I don’t want to answer. Because if I do…
If I do, I’ll have to be honest with him, and if I have to do that, I’ll have to be honest with myself.
I startle when I feel his hands, gentle and strong, on my biceps. Somehow, that light touch as he stands behind me unravels a knot in my chest.
“Tell me,” Bishop says again, his voice low, his words spoken gently against the crown of my head. “Why did you kiss me?”
“Because I wanted to,” I whisper, the answer pouring from me unbidden. “Because I’ve missed you.” I turn around and look up into that handsome face, those caring, honey eyes. “Because I couldn’t not.”
He licks his lips, his eyes searching my face. My body throbs. My chest aches. Everything within me is on high alert.
“But I’m scared if I let you in, I’m going to get hurt again,” I finally say, giving voice to the fear that has been ever-present in my mind from the minute I saw him again on Main Street.
I’m scared I’ll hand him my heart, already so battered and wounded, only for it to become a shattered mess again. I’ve worked hard to repair the damage that has been done to me over the course of my life, and I fear with one simple movement, Bishop might destroy it for good.
He takes a step toward me so we’re just inches apart, then he takes my hand and places it on his chest so I can feel the steady beat of his heart under my palm.
“And the fact that you’re so scared is entirely my fault.” He pauses. “Let me show you that something good can come from all of this. Let me prove to you that I won’t hurt you again.”
