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“And look good in my portfolio. I’d raise my profile and get ahead by hurting other people. Isn’t that what your ex-wife tried to do to you?”
Troy’s skin grew cold. “Isn’t that what you tried to do with Jackie?”
Andrea stiffened, but she didn’t look away. “Is that the reason you don’t trust me?”
Troy resumed his pacing. He kneaded the muscles at the back of his neck, but the tension wouldn’t ease. “I’m sorry. That was a stupid thing to say.”
“No, it wasn’t. It’s the truth. I wrote a damaging article about Jackie. It was full of lies that I created from petty jealousy. Is that the reason you don’t trust me?”
Troy exhaled an impatient breath. The room was hot and stuffy. “I do trust you. You’re not the same person you were four years ago.” How many times would he have to repeat himself before she’d believe him?
“Maybe that’s why your ex-wife and I are connected in your mind.”
Troy turned and paced back toward the front of the room. He took off his suit jacket and hooked it on the back of a chair. “You two couldn’t be more different.”
Andrea sank into one of the chairs crowded between the storage boxes and the conference table. “Jackie was able to forgive me. I’m not saying I deserved it. But her generosity helped me to be a better person, and I think it helped her to move forward after what I did.”
Troy loosened his tie. Anger heated his skin and caused his heart to race. “My ex-wife cost me my basketball scholarship, my parents’ respect, and my chance at the NBA. You expect me to forgive her?”
Andrea spread her hands. “I’m sorry for everything she cost you. But you earned your degree. You have a job you love working for a well-respected organization. And I’m certain your parents are proud of you. How does it benefit you to hold onto your resentment?”
Troy hooked his hands on his hips. “Why do I have to forgive her?”
Andrea stood. She pressed her palms against her thighs. “Jackie not only forgave me, but she helped me restart my career. She saved my life.”
Troy’s temper cooled as he gave silent thanks to Jaclyn’s huge heart. “I know.”
“If you had been in her place, would you have been able to forgive me?” Her voice was breathless.
Her question rocked him back on his heels. She stood as still as a statue. Troy sensed her trying to read his mind.
Troy lowered his arms. What could he say to keep her with him? “You’re talking in hypotheticals. You’ve never written anything about me.”
“Humor me. Would you have been able to forgive me?” She was relentless.
Troy’s chest hurt. His shoulders slumped. “I don’t think I could have.”
“Not even for your own sake?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
Andrea nodded. “Neither do I.” Her voice was low.
Troy tried a last-minute rally. “Why is this important? It’s all make-believe.”
Andrea lowered her eyes. “It means you wouldn’t have given me a chance to change. I’m not saying I deserved a second chance, but I’m glad I got one.”
“So am I.” Troy fisted his hands to keep from reaching for her. Would she want his touch? He didn’t know, but he couldn’t bear for her to flinch from him.
Andrea looked up to meet his gaze. “By holding on to the past, you aren’t allowing yourself a chance to change, either.”
His irritation stirred. “I wasn’t the one who needed to change. She was.”
“It’s not too late to give her that chance.”
Did she know what she was asking of him? How could he forgive someone who had taken so much from him?
“I don’t know whether I can change that much, not even for you.” Troy collected his jacket. Leaving Andrea was one of the hardest things he’d ever done.
