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“Tell me you didn’t.”
His lips press into a thin white line. “I couldn’t let you go.”
“I can’t believe you right now.” I push at his shoulders but it’s as effective as moving a boulder.
“For what it’s worth, I’m not proud of it.”
“You sabotaged me.” My voice cracks.
His face softens. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? I spent months on my presentation, perfecting it to the point of obsession, only to be rejected because you were too selfish to let me go? Who does that?”
“Someone who doesn’t understand the first thing about loving someone, but is willing to try if you give me a chance.”
“You want me to give you a chance after everything? Do you think I’m stupid?”
He winces, and a bit of my anger fades away at his vulnerability.
“Intelligence has nothing to do with this.”
“Easy for you to say when you’re not the one who feels like a fool.”
“Really? Because based on your reaction today, I’m feeling pretty damn foolish for ever admitting that I’m falling in love with you.” He slips off the bed, leaving me feeling chilled to the bone.
“Declan…” I reach out, but he takes a step back.
My eyes sting from his rejection. Ithurts.
“I’m not asking you to love me back. I don’t expect that and I’m not sure if I ever will because I’m the furthest thing from lovable. I’m selfish, rude, and don’t know the first thing about being in a relationship with someone. But that doesn’t mean I’m not willing to try for you if you let me.”
How am I supposed to be angry at him when he thinks he isunlovable? A pain rips through my chest at the thought of him talking about himself this way.
I slide off the bed and walk straight into his chest. His arms stay plastered against his sides, so I grab them and wrap them around my waist.
“Just because you make selfishchoicesdoesn’t mean you’re a selfishperson. At least not completely.” The man protected his brothers from their alcoholic father for years without any kind of payback. If that isn’t a selfless sacrifice, I don’t know what is.
“Your logic is half-baked at best.”
“So is yours, seeing as you called yourself unlovable.”
His body tenses. “I’m stating facts.”
“I don’t know what bullshit your father told you over the years, but it’s not true. Your brothers love you.”
“They’re obligated to.”
“No one isobligatedto love someone else. Blood or not.”
He takes a deep breath. “You’re right.”
I smile up at him. “I could get used to hearing those words.”
He reaches up and cups my cheek. “Give me a chance and I’ll tell you them every single day.”
I sigh and look away. “I don’t know.”
“Tell me what’s stopping you.”
