Page 97 of The Holiday Makeover

But I stayed there, watching over her.

Kicking myself for not watching over her the way I should have before. For not fighting for her. For not realizing the good I had in my life because there had always been people telling me it wasn’t good enough.

That I wasn’t good enough.

But honestly, how did life get better than this? Sitting beside the woman you loved, knowing she had loved you even with all your flaws. Knowing she had seen the worst parts of you and still chosen you anyway.

I just prayed she would forgive me.

That she would let me prove I was worth the risk.

Rory finally peeked one eye open, then startled when she realized she wasn’t alone.

“Hey there,” I said quietly. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

She squeezed the pillow tighter, as if to say, Don’t come closer, and also, I have nothing to say to you.

I got the message loud and clear.

And I would give her the space she deserved.

I just needed her to know this.

“Rory, I know an apology doesn’t come anywhere close to making this right.” The words caught for a second. “But I want you to know that this is me turning around. This is me fighting for you.”

Her eyes stayed on mine.

“And you should probably know, I walked out of the interview. Told the network if they don’t want to renew my contract, they don’t have to.” I blew out a breath. “But don’t panic. I’ve saved and invested. There’s no danger in me becoming a bum watching TV all day and playing video games late into the night, eating you out of house and home.”

The joke fell flat. It didn’t even earn me a quirk of her brow.

I trudged on. Desperate for her forgiveness.

“And I know what you’re probably thinking,” I continued. “You’re thinking I’ll resent you for this choice someday.” I shook my head. “You’re wrong. The only thing I resent is not making it sooner.”

When she said nothing, I pointed at the door. “I’m going to start on those built-ins now.”

Then . . . I leaned in slowly, giving her every chance to pull away. When she didn’t, I pressed my lips to her brow and let myself have that one second.

I stood carefully, trying not to jostle the bed.

She just continued to stare at me blankly, as if she didn’t recognize me.

Maybe she didn’t.

I only hoped she’d give me the chance to show her the man I could be.

The man she deserved.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Rory

“You caught him crying while watching old clips of the two of you?” Lily said way too loudly.

“Shh,” I begged, just in case Tate could hear us.

It was doubtful, seeing as I was hiding in my bedroom like the mature, well-adjusted adult I was. And Tate was downstairs in the living room using power tools.