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She turned to Kyr, saying woodenly, “Shall we?” She wasn’t certain why, but she had a really bad feeling that if she and the billionaire had a private moment to themselves, it would be over.
And she was right.
At the patio, they took their seats on the couch, both of them careful to occupy each end, which left a terrible, gaping space between them.
In the corner of her eye, she saw the billionaire take a deep breath, and panic got the better of her. Desperate to forestall whatever he had to say, she began to blab. “Have you ever tried spotting the constellations in the sky? I have, and even without a telescope. It’s possible, really, and I’ve done it. You just need to pick the right time to do it. In fact, it’s kinda easy, too, once you get the—-”
“Pollyanna.”
She paled at the way he called her. It sounded so...formal, like the way people who used to be friends talked to each other.
Kyr saw her lip tremble at his tone, and he swore in his mind. But what else he could do, dammit? He did not have revenge in his mind, like Dinah had feared, but even so, he knew Dinah was still right to be concerned.
The longer he stayed in her life, the more hurt he would end up causing her – hurt that she hadn’t done anything to deserve. Among all of them – her godparents, Kyr, and Ana – she, Polly, was the only innocent one. But because of the way he had foolishly handled things, she stood to experience the greatest hurt.
“Could you look at me?” he asked tensely. When she shook her head vehemently, he drew a tense breath, saying, “Polly—-”
“I don’t want to,” she whispered. “I think I know what you’re going to say, and I just—-” She breathed hard, and her body had started to tremble at the strength required to hold back her tears. “Can you at least tell me what Nona’s told you – what she’s done to make you decide to...leave me?”
Ah, fuck.
How did he answer that without talking about Ana?
Closing his eyes, he forced himself to lie, saying, “She’s made me realize, rightfully so, how young you are.” He managed a mocking smile. “In particular, you’re too young to waste time with someone like me.”
“And that’s it?”
His gaze unreadable, he replied tonelessly, “That’s it.”
The answer hurt, and the pain doubled when she watched Kyr get back to his feet with swift grace. Was it really that easy for him to discard her? Oh God, he made her feel disposable.
A hot rush of tears swelled behind her lids, and Pollyanna quickly lowered her head, not wanting Kyr’s last sight of her to be one in tears. You can cry later, Polly, she told himself fiercely, when he’s gone.
But it was no use, and she drew a deep, shuddering breath in a futile effort to control her sobs.
“God, Polly.” She suddenly felt arms close around her, and by the time her head jerked up and her dazed eyes clashed with Kyr’s bleak ones, he was back on the couch and she was tumbling onto his lap.
“K-Kyr?” she stammered, wanting to hope but not having enough courage to do so.
His arms tightened around her.
“I should leave you,” he said harshly.
Oh.
She went back to blinking as fast as she could. Oh, Lord, do not make me cry—-
“But when I saw you about to cry—-”
Oh.
Polly didn’t even stop to think about it, simply cried harder and louder.
“Idiot.” The billionaire’s lips twitched, but his gaze remained troubled, and her heart squeezed at the contrast.
“Don’t go.” She could no longer stop herself from pleading, even though it hurt her pride to do so.
When more tears fell, Kyr wiped them away gently. “Polly, stop.” When the tears continued to stream down, he asked slowly, “Do you know some women become more beautiful when they’re crying?”
She shook her head, still crying.
“You’re not one of them.”
Her eyes widened and her lips parted and closed. It was his beloved blowfish look, but more than that, his words had stunned her so that she stopped crying.
When she recovered from her shock, she cried out, “Meanie!”
“But effective in stopping the tears, ne?” His voice was gruff, but the gleam in his eyes was beautiful and intense, and the thousand promises in them made her throat dry.
“What now?” she whispered.
His gaze became hooded, and his tone was guarded when he answered, “We take it day by day.”
“Okay.” She didn’t bother playing coy about it, she was just so relieved and grateful he wasn’t leaving.
He stood up, and so did she. Their gazes met, her eyes filled with fear and innocent longing. It made Kyr slowly draw her to him, and he heard himself say, “I am not an easy person to be with. I’m too damaged, too cynical, too damn old. I’ll probably hurt you without knowing, and for that, I’m already apologizing.” Lifting his head, he cupped her chin, smiling wryly as he said, “Given all that, are you sure you still want me in your life?”
