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No.
I rolled down that hill right after we slept together for the first time.
“What do you want from me, Hugo?” I asked, staring at him. “I don’t fit into your world.”
“You are my world, Sophie.”
“No, I’m not. Your world is huge houses and estates and priceless heirlooms.” I ran my fingers through my hair, sighing. “I know the kind of woman you’ll end up with, and it’s not an unemployed idiot who’s lucky enough to have a best friend with a rich family so she doesn’t have to pay rent. I know the kind of person you’re going to marry.”
“What if I don’t give a flying fuck about them?”
“Oh, a billionaire heiress isn’t exciting? An earl’s daughter? The Queen’s cousin’s daughter? They’re not exciting or interesting? Pull the other one.”
“Yes, those. I know them all, and I don’t care for them. I don’t want any of those women. I wouldn’t drive this far for any of them.”
“Why not? They’ll fit your perfect little fancy world. Your mother will be thrilled, and they’ll all be in your house tomorrow night. Perfect.”
He tightened his jaw and met my eyes. “Because I’m not in love with any of those women.”
He—
He was what? With who?
“What?” I whispered, freezing. “What did you just say?”
“I’m in love with you, Sophie.” Hugo rubbed his hand over his jaw. “God knows why. You’ve driven me mental since the second I met you. I spend half my time trying desperately not to roll my eyes and figure you out, and the other half…”
When he didn’t say anything, I asked, “What?”
“You just drive me fucking mental, to be honest.”
That was fair.
“Please. Give it a chance. Give us a chance. Properly. Where we don’t have to hide or lie or—”
“It’s never going to work,” I interrupted him.
“I know you feel the same way I do.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I fought back tears. “This will never work because of your family, Hugo. Do you get that? I will never fit in there, and this will end in tears no matter how hard we try.”
He shook his head. “No. I don’t agree with you.”
“Then you’ve lost your mind.” Tears still burnt my eyes, but I wasn’t going to give in and cry in front of him. “I never, ever want to return to Moorhaven, and I never will. There is not a single thing that could make me go back.”
“I’ll stay in London with you.”
“And pass the dukedom to your brother?” I raised my eyebrows. “The one thing you’ve worked for and supported your entire life? You and I both know you don’t mean that, and even if you do right now, you’ll regret it. I don’t want to be the reason you regret the way your life turned out.”
“No. I don’t see a time I regret ever choosing you.”
“You’re an idiot. We’ve known each other for two weeks.”
“And I would still choose you.” His lips tugged sadly to one side. “Every single fucking time, I would choose you, Sophie. I don’t need to be with you for twenty years to know you’re the one I’ve been waiting for.”
“Your standards are horrifically low.”
“On the contrary, I can’t think of anyone better than you.”
