Page 68 of The Mountain Man's Mail-Order Mafia Princess

“I know.”

“What can I do?”

“Make the choice you actually want when the car gets there.”

“And then?”

“Live with it.”

“That sounds easy when you say it.”

“It isn’t.”

He finished the pasta and carried his plate to the sink.

I followed him.

“What choice do you want me to make?” I asked.

Jonah’s shoulders went rigid.

“That isn’t fair.”

“Neither was asking me whether I’m staying and refusing to say what you want.”

“I told you that you matter.”

“You also told me you imagined me here.”

“That was before I knew the rest.”

His expression softened, but he didn’t take the sentence back.

“I still want you,” he said.

My breath caught.

“I still care whether you stay. I also don’t know whether wanting you here makes sense for either of us.”

“I don’t need you to decide what makes sense for me.”

“I understand. That’s why I’m not asking you to stay today. Tomorrow, when your father’s car is in front of you, you’ll choose without me making promises I’m not ready to make.”

I pressed my palm against the counter.

“You think I’m leaving.”

“I think you might.”

“And you’re preparing for it.”

“I’m trying to.”

I reached for his hand.

He let me take it.

His fingers closed around mine, rough and warm. I curled my fingers around his.