“What do you want to do, Ash?”
Start over. “I don’t know.”
“I want to come up with a compromise you can accept. I won’t try to keep you here. You’ve always wanted to fly.”
His sad smile tugged at her heart. She had. But only because she thought the nest would always be ready for her return. She hadn’t appreciated what she’d had. And now she was going to have to say goodbye to it forever.
“What do you want? What is fair?”
To be partners.When she stripped away everything, she had one desire left. Asking him would be exposing every last trick. She had no more games, no more ideas, and no more plans. Running her life as she saw fit had left her empty and alone. She was tired of hiding and faking.
“I have nothing.” Her voice cracked. “I don’t want to take from you. The Inn is truly yours. You’ve devoted the time and care. It’s your vision and sweat equity. I guess I’m just jealous. I need something.”
* * *
Christopher regretted finishing his drink so fast. He shot a longing glance at the coffee table. He never expected honesty from her. He’d known her forever, longer than he’d known himself, and filled in many of the gaps on his own.
She wasn’t the sort to speak with such candor, or she’d have to listen to it.
She didn’t flinch or shudder or try to hide in any way. She was open, vulnerable, and fearless. He needed to be just as brave. Or he’d live with regrets for the rest of his life.
For too long, he’d held a fear so close to his heart he’d begun to believe the lie. That marrying him had been one more way to get back at her dad. He’d been in love with her for as long as he could remember. He worried about being a pawn between father and daughter. But he’d been so young and overwhelmed with hormones he hadn’t cared.
In the wake of her departure, he’d been swamped by all the rational, reasonable thoughts he had buried. He’d awoken from a dream to find himself all alone. With her return, he discovered he was just as wild for her as always. She could come in and sweep him up in her chaos, and he’d gladly follow. Before the interruption, he’d nearly sealed his fate of being at her beck and call until the end of time.
While he ached for what could have been, he was grateful for the break. The cold air and icy realization of what had been happening under his nose had snapped him from his lust-filled haze. They could discuss their future rationally. Although, with each second in her company, he felt his grip on logic and reason slipping away.
“I have another option,” he said slowly, ignoring the thump of his heart with each second.Let’s stay together. Let’s reconcile. The love hung in the air between them, shimmering with the passion that had never waned.
He pushed aside the feelings. He’d do the smart thing and offer her a clear choice. He didn’t want her beholden to him or anyone. Because he wanted her to want him for himself. Not for the way he could help her or provide for her, or provoke her now-dead family. He wanted her to choose him.
“What is really inside the package I brought?”
He frowned. Package? From her? He wracked his brain but came up empty.
“Hawaii?” she asked. “Is it a job?” Her chin trembled. “Could I take it?”
“Would you want to move? You just got here.”
She shrugged. “It would solve a lot of issues.”
Not for him. Her father accused him of eloping to satisfy his lust. Xavier had asked what would happen when Christopher grew tired of the physical side. The truth was the physical only enhanced and deepened their emotional connection. Christopher found his other half in every way with Ashley. “Not a job offer as much as a buyout. The hotelier wants to retire. He’s offered to sell it to me. I could go. And you could stay and takeover the Inn.
She rolled her eyes. “Do you want the property to be haunted for real?”
“What does that mean?” He drew back his chin. Her abrupt comment was as moment-shattering as an open-palm slap.How could she be so cavalier after I offered up my livelihood?
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness and caring,” she said, lowering her voice and reaching a hand to cover his.
His thumb itched to trace her hand; he wanted to flip their grip and cover her hand in his. She softened the blow with her gentle delivery.
“Dad would come back from the grave and shake the walls. He’d rather have this place destroyed than let me be involved in its operation.” She smirked and shook her head, drawing back her hand.
“If you believe that, how do you make sense of him giving you the option of claiming in the Inn at all?”
“Appearances. He cared a lot about what other people thought, especially as the first family of the lake.” She scrunched her nose. “I suppose I do, too. I’ve definitely focused on curating an image over the past decade to the detriment of really living. I’m not scared anymore. I’m ready to try. But I don’t want to push you out. And I don’t want you to go to Hawaii.”
“Wouldn’t my leaving solve your problems?”
