“I never forgot,” I whispered.
“Cole—”
“No. We’re having a nice time.”
She went quiet on me, and I took the time to wash out the conditioner from her hair.
“I did some investing. I made a shit ton of money. I get paid by Enzo and E, too. Multiple revenue streams, so I’m not a deadbeat. I have an inheritance from my family. I made multiple seven figures last year. I-I could take care of you, Rosalie?—”
“I don’t need your money, Cole.”
“I know,” I mumbled. “But in case it’s enticing, I do have that going for me. I’m not some deadbeat.”
“I never thought you were.”
“Enzo is a billionaire. E is a multi-millionaire and growing. I-I can survive too. I could take care of you. Give you a comfortable life if you wanted to get out of the spotlight?—”
“I’m happy where I am, Cole. This is my dream.”
“I know,” I whispered. “I was just letting you know there is an offer on the table.”
“Noted.” She was quiet for a moment. “What about other women?”
I scoffed. “No. I haven’t fucked anyone since I fucked you.” My voice trailed off. “I’m really sorry about that. What I did that night. I-I didn’t want to hurt you, Rosalie. That has never been my intention. I was afraid and stupid. I was so fucking stupid. Please don’t judge me based on my bad moments.”
“If I did that, I’d truly hate you,” she murmured. “You’ve always had more bad than good.”
I winced at her words.
“I-I don’t want to be that way,” I said. “I’m trying?—”
“You’re a passionate person. I know that. You just need to learn to breathe through the frustration. Through all the anger. If you ever want to find someone?—”
“I already found someone,” I cut in. “I found you.”
“Cole—”
“Just let me have this moment,” I said.
She went silent, and I moved to sit on the edge of the tub so I could look at her.
“What else do you want to know about me?” I asked.
She licked her lips. “Are you happy?”
“No. Are you?”
She blinked at the question and looked at me. “I-I’m not unhappy, I’m just…”
“Unfulfilled,” I said softly. “Missing something.”
“I don’t know,” she replied. “I have the most amazing husband. Family. Friends. Career.” Her voice went soft.
“You could have me, Rosalie. I’m right here,” I choked out. “I-I didn’t… ever. With anyone.” I paused. “Wait. I-I did. There was this girl a few weeks ago at Enzo’s strip club. Enzo and I were arguing. I-I wanted to prove to him that I-I could move on from you. So I grabbed this stripper and kissed her. She-She started to suck my dick, but I-I couldn’t. It was awful,” I whispered, looking from my hands on my lap to her. Her face was expressionless as she stared back at me.
“I felt like I’d cheated on you,” I mumbled. “You’re not my girl anymore. I’m not an idiot. I know you’re not. But there’s something deep inside my chest, my soul, my head, that can’t let you go. I-I want to let you go. I want to feel better. I-I can’t, Rosebud. I fucking can’t. You’re everything to me. I will spend the rest of my life trying to make things up to you if you just look in my direction. I would be so good for you. I swear I would be. I-I’d travel with you. I’d take care of you. I’d write songs with you. I-I even learned to play drums and got better at the piano. I could be useful?—”
She pressed her finger against my lips.
