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“I think this is a hug,” I say.
“Right. A hug. You are all over the place. Constant whiplash…the rudeness, the pastries, the sweetness, the bolting, and now this…hug. Why are you so exhausting?”
I chuckle and reluctantly step back, letting my hands drop from her.
It really,reallysucks to let her go.
“I apologize for all the whiplash,” I start carefully. “I promise it’s not that I don’t want you around. It’s…the opposite of that.”
Her nose crinkles up and she looks so adorable and sexy and tempting, I take another step back.
“What do you mean?” she asks.
I take a second, and then it comes to me. “Did you ever seeLove Actually?”
She frowns again and nods. “Yes?”
“You know that guy who holds up the signs? He’s been awful to his best friend’s girlfriend their whole relationship and when she finally calls him out on it, he has to admit that he’s had feelings for her all along…”
“Yes? What does that—”
“I always hated that part,” I admit. “Like, why didn’t he admit it sooner, when he might’ve had a chance? Or why didn’t he get the hell away from her, so his feelings didn’t grow? But I think I’m starting to get it now.”
“Well, I don’t—I’m more confused than ever,” she says.
“You know what I thought when I first saw you in the hospital with Dakota?” I ask, running my hands through my hair.
Her nose flares as she takes a deep breath, her eyes widening again as she stares up at me. “What?” she says quietly.
“I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I could barely get a coherent word out of my mouth because I was so consumed by your beauty. The night I met you, I was too upset, but when I truly saw you…”
She starts to laugh, but it dies when she sees that I’m serious.
“That’s never happened with me before…ever,” I say. “And it doesn’t excuse the way I’ve treated you, but—”
“I’m having a hard time believing this,” she interrupts. “If you think I’mso beautiful, it seems like you’d be a lot nicer. Most guys with crushes flirt or at the least…don’t behave like cavemen.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. “That’s fair. And I admit, I don’t know what to do with myself…how to act around you. Caveman sounds about right.”
Her cheeks burn brighter and she licks her lips, looking at me and then away like she can’t stand to settle on me for very long. But when she does, her eyes are curious and her chest is rising and falling more rapidly the longer our conversation goes.
“So you’ve been acting this way because you think I’m attractive,” she says, her eyes narrowing.
“I think you’re more than attractive. I think you’re fucking amazing. The way you’ve come in and captured the hearts of everyone here is remarkable. The way you are with Dakota, and the way you’d do anything for Sofie. I’ve noticed everything about you.Too muchabout you.”
“I don’t know what to say,” she whispers.
She puts her fingers to her puffy lips and I stare transfixed. I clear my throat and tug on my hair to get ahold of myself.
“You don’t need to say anything, Marlow. I’m sorry for even putting this on you now. You’re married,” I say softly, “and there’s no way I’d ever normally say this to a married woman. I’ve never had these thoughts about a married woman…or anyone,” I groan. “Sorry. I can’t seem to stop.” I hold up my hand. “Trust me. I won’t keep talking like this. I just wanted you to know I can’t bear the thought of you leaving. I only want to know you better.”
Her mouth parts and she starts to say something and then pauses, shaking her head.
“I’m in the process of a divorce, as I believe you know,” she finally says, looking past me before frowning up at me again.
“And you have a girlfriend,” she adds.
“Me? No, I don’t.”
