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"Tell me you dont love me, Mariah. Tell me that and Ill leave right now. Otherwise, Ill stay here a hundred years, proposing to you every morning—until you do trust me. "
Mariah. A shiver of longing moved through Mariah at the way he said her name, so softly, gently. Memories besieged her, drew her reluctantly back into the way she used to feel about him.
Sweet Lord, shed missed him.
She clutched the sink and forced herself not to move, but the heat of his gaze, the warmth of his smile, burned through her, made her feel liquid and rubbery inside.
"Oh, God, Matt. " She sighed, feeling the sting of tears. She couldnt lie and tell him she didnt love him. The words would be impossible to form. She loved him as much as her own life, needed him as desperately as she needed air to breathe.
He moved toward her, came within a hairsbreadth of touching her, but he didnt. He just stared down at her, gazing at her through painfully honest eyes. "Have I ever lied to you, Mariah?"
"N-No. "
He touched her chin, a feather-stroke of a caress that set off a tremble in her stomach. "Ill stay," he whispered, and she saw the moisture in his eyes.
She looked up at him, into the quiet desperation in his eyes, the lingering sadness in his look, and she was lost. She couldnt turn him away, couldnt say she didnt love him. Not if he broke her heart a hundred times, a thousand. The days of protecting herself were long over. She was stronger now, strong enough to reach for what she wanted. Strong enough to let herself believe in him, in herself, in love.
She gave him a fragile, loving smile and started to cry. "Oh, Matt," she breathed, opening her arms to him, "what took you so long?"
Authors Note
Sometimes a writer stumbles across a book thats difficult, perhaps even painful, to write. This was just such a book for me. So Id like to take this occasion to thank some very special people.
My brother, Kent, and my sister, Laura, who helped me through the sadness and help me still.
Benjamin and Tucker, who make every day a miracle.
And my "other" family, the Hannahs and the Shields, who have faced so much tragedy this year with courage and hope.
Anna, Sharon and Burt . . . this ones for you.
