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Three short words that we’ve said to one another hundreds of times before. But this time would be different.
I’min lovewith my best friend. That adds a whole other layer to those three beautiful words. Even though he’s said them to me, I can’t say those words to him.
This relationship was only supposed to be a short-term thing. I should’ve known better.
You’re a burden.The thought flashes through my mind.
That reminder causes me to look at the bruises on his hand again. It occurs to me that whatever happened between Gabriel Jr. and Diego, he did it to protect me. Because Gabriel Jr. showing up at my gallery was an unveiled threat.
A lump forms in my throat at the reminder that I could, yet again, be the cause of strife in Diego’s life.
I sit up straight in my seat and turn to look out of the passenger window.
“Are you hungry? It might be time for you to eat something,” Diego says, concern in his voice.
Yet another reminder that he thinks he has to manage me. To take care of me because I’m too damn fragile.
“I have a granola bar,” I answer.
Before I can dig in my bag, Diego pops his glove compartment open and pulls out two different kinds of granola bars.
“The peanut butter one is the best,” he says with a smile.
Butterflies flutter in my belly at that look. But the wave of passion is stamped out by the guilt of feeling like he has to take care of me.
I hate the way memories of my ex-fiancé come to mind. The things that woman he was with that night at the Black Opal said.
What if Diego gets tired of taking care of me?
“I’ll have what I brought with me.” I pull a packet of gummy bears out of my bag before checking the numbers on my watch.
I don’t look Diego’s way as I tear the bag open and start eating. I know he must be wondering what that was about, but I can’t explain it. I don’t want him to think he has to constantly take care of me. That’s not what this relationship is supposed to be about.
Though conversation about the art fair takes up the rest of our car ride, in the back of my mind, the fear of me being a burden and what that means for me and Diego continues to crowd my thoughts.
CHAPTER28
Monique
“There are some amazing artists here,”I tell Diego as we stroll the rows of artists showcasing their work.
He nods in agreement while eyeing a black and white portrait of a bird’s eye view of Williamsport. The artist is a semi-famous photographer from our home city.
“Do you like that one?” I ask, coming up beside him.
With his gaze still on the photo, he wraps a long arm around me, pulling me into his side. The unease I felt in the car gets pushed aside by the feeling, though it doesn’t entirely go away.
Maybe it never will.
“It’s decent,” he says.
I observe the photo and then give a quick shake of my head. “Not yet.”
He peers down at me with a wrinkle in between his brows.
“That picture lacks your designs. Once your building designs are developed, I’ll hire a photographer to take pictures of the new and improved Williamsport skyline. So you can hang it up in your home.”
His eyes light up in a way that makes the butterflies in my belly start flapping. He leans down and presses a kiss to my lips. The feeling of his lips on mine linger even after he pulls away.
