Page 63 of Fall Love

He’s been in love.

“She fell in love with someone else,” he says, his eyes avoiding mine. “And they got engaged last Christmas.”

Shit.

“So New Year’s Eve . . .”

“Was not related to their engagement. I’m over her. Long over her.” He chuckles, still sounding bitter. “It’d been a year since we broke up when I met you. And over a year since . . .”

He points between us.

I don’t know if it makes me feel better or worse that he’d been so hurt. That he’d gone so long without sex. And I was the one to break his dry spell.

“I’m honored,” I state, trying to make light of a situation that doesn’t feel light.

“I was honored.” He lifts his brows. “You restored my confidence.”

“To get girls?” I ask when I don’t really want the answer.

“There haven’t been any girls since you.”

I believe him. He already told me this. Still, I’m puzzled why he’s alone. How could someone fall in love with someone other than him? He is practically perfect.

“Tell me a fault of yours.”

He laughs. “What?”

“What’s something wrong with you? Besides the hair swiping. What’s something that could possibly make a person fall out of love with you?” I don’t get it. I really don’t.

“That something was a someone else,” he repeats.

“Still, tell me something. Give me something that makes you less perfect.”

His cheeks turn sweet pink again, and he lowers his gaze. “I’m not perfect, Neve. I’m just a man wanting a woman to love me despite all my imperfections.”

That sounds like a movie line, and I’d laugh if he weren’t completely serious. I don’t have the heart to mock him. I understand him.

On some level, that I can’t even explain to myself, I want the same thing. A man to love me for who I am, faults and all.

“She was a fool.”

His lip curls. “Thank you for saying that. But I’m better off without her.” He glances at my belly. “In fact, I think I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”

Sweet succulent pumpkins, do not make me love you, Tate Love. I won’t be able to handle the heartbreak he’ll bring me.

“What about you? Ever been engaged? Ever want to get married?”

Suddenly, it feels like all the oxygen has left the room.

“Can’t really happen when all you have are one-night stands.” I offer him honesty because it’s all I have. “But, yeah. I guess I just didn’t see it ever happening for me.” I pause a second, taking a deep breath and digging even deeper for the truth. “Guess I’m just a woman wanting a man to love me, yet knowing no one ever would, because of my imperfections.”

“Neve.” My name is the saddest whisper, and I hate the pity in it.

I shake my head, dismissing this topic.

He watches me for a long minute before asking, “How are you feeling?”

“Why?”