Page 47 of Let Me Love You

I rear back. Serenity never went into detail about Paul, but that has to be who he’s talking about. “Explain.”

“He’s the reason for the loan sharks. That man was a dumbass for letting Serenity down so badly.”

I press my lips into a flat line. I’m not sure what I thought when I found out about her debt, but I never knew it wasn’t her fault. I clench my jaw. Serenity has had to go through so much on her own because she trusted the wrong man. No wonder she’s always been so stubborn and wary of me. I’ll have to remind her I’m not that kind of man and that she and Summer come first. Always.

For now, I’ll have to dig up everything there is to know about her late husband.

“I promise I’m going to tell her about the break-in,” I say finally.

Paul proved men are lying scumbags, but I’ll never fall into that category. I’ll have to show her I’m a man she can trust. Holding this information from her proves the opposite.

Chapter 21

Serenity

Isit in the passenger seat of Victor’s SUV. Summer is back at Sully’s, already tucked into bed. After all the girls packed up and left this morning, I called Victor to invite him to Frank’s tonight. He agreed, saying that would give him enough time to get through his scheduled meetings.

My stomach is tied into knots as I consider how to ease into a decision I made while agonizing all day about it.

“How did work go?” I ask, resisting the urge to wince at how high-pitched my voice sounds.

It’s a simple enough question, but I haven’t been able to ask about someone’s day in years. The words were foreign coming out of my mouth.

He moves his head back and forth as if to say “so-so.” “Things are progressing with the new phone but not as quickly as I’d like.” As he parks the car, he turns to look at me, giving me his undivided attention. “How was your night with the girls?”

My heart swells. I had a few girls’ nights when I was with Paul. He always put up a fight about me leaving, so it wasn’t monthly like it is now, but he never once asked how it was. No, instead, he flung accusations at me.

I hold Victor’s soft gaze, and my chest tightens. I shouldn’t compare him to Paul. I know it’s not right. Everything he does and says is the exact opposite of my late husband.

And this is why you want to conduct a little experiment.

Inhaling, I try to refocus. “I had fun.”

Those three simple words make me feel silly, but he smiles encouragingly, like he wants me to continue.

I fill him in on our forever movie we watch, and even though I can tell he’s never even heard of it, he nods along as if he’s interested. He has been putting in so much effort with Summer and me, and all I ever do is push him away.

Maybe now is the time. My pulse pounds in my ears, but before I can lean forward, Victor shifts away. His fingers tap vigorously on his leg as if he’s playing the piano. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen the movement, and I can’t help but wonder if he does it when he’s nervous.

“Have you thought more about what I said?” Victor asks. “If you aren’t ready, I won’t push you. But if you think maybe in the future, you might agree to at least a date, I can wait.”

I bite my lip, and our gazes collide. My chest almost feels like a hundred-pound weight has been dropped on it without warning as his vulnerability shines through his bright blue eyes. I’ve given what he proposed a lot of consideration, but I’m not sure how to love a man when my heart is in splinters.

I can’t bear to look at him any longer. Dropping my head into my hands, I whisper through my spread fingers, “I can’t.”

Paul has ruined everything. Our home. My memories. Me.

Tears fill my eyes, but I don’t let them fall. Victor’s gentle touch lifts my chin, and I meet his eyes through the wetness. There’s no anger or resentment in his gaze, but I sense something else. Maybe sadness?

Our faces are so close his breath caresses my cheeks. I plant my hands on the seat, grounding myself before I do something we both will regret. If I could give in and lean forward, our lips would touch. I wouldn’t have to wonder what a real kiss from him would be like anymore.

“I understand.” His words are soft but firm, and my heart drops. “A real relationship wasn’t part of the deal.”

The devastation on his face pulls me toward him as if he’s a magnet, and I can’t resist it any longer. I reach out and touch his face. His eyes widen as if he’s as surprised by my touch as I am.

“I trust you, but you deserve more than a broken woman. You deserve someone who can love you with all their heart. Mine has big chunks missing.”

I haven’t felt so safe within a man’s arms. To me, they all look the same, ready to break and use any woman who crosses their paths. But not Victor. I’ll never wish I hadn’t met Paul because I wouldn’t have Summer. I’ll never allow that thought to enter my brain. But I also won’t deny he destroyed me to the point that I’m so broken I don’t know what it means to be whole anymore.