AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Roisin takes a moment to consider this. “I don’t know. I’m not sure how I feel about it.”
I offer a comforting smile. “If it’s any consolation, I think you’re perhaps the only person I would stop for.”
“Stop teasing me.” she chides, though her eyes dance with appreciation.
“It’s true; one look with those emerald eyes, and I’m like putty in your immensely talented hands.”
She doesn’t miss a beat. “It’s not my fault you’re so pliable.”
“A minute or two alone with you, and I’ll be positively rigid,” I counter.
“Promise?”
“So, go on then,” I prompt to disguise my laugh. “What are you most proud of, Miss Maguire?”
The question seems to catch her off guard. “I... I’m not sure.”
“You got into Juilliard. Even I know the competition is fierce. So that’s pretty impressive.”
“I know. It’s not that I’m not proud of that. I made some amazing friends and got to try out all these new things. But acting, dancing, and singing... they’ve always been a part of me. You know?”
“I could say the same about stabbing people, but go on,” I reply with a touch of humor.
“The point is,” she scowls at my comment. “Can you be proud of just who you are?”
“I think so. I think being who you are is harder than anyone realizes.” I meet her gaze with sincerity. “Even if you’re an immensely talented triple threat.”
Roisin rolls her eyes at me. “You’ve never heard me sing.”
“And my life will exist in darkness until I do,” I retort cheekily. “But my point is, not everyone could go through what you have and come out the other side still so immensely themselves. I’m proud of you, I think.”
Roisin shies away from my words. “It feels a little patronizing when you say it like that.”
“I’m trying to be nice here.”
“I know, and I appreciate it. I appreciate you,” she clarifies earnestly. “I’m not sure if I’d have even been able to get this far without you. I know I’m not the easiest to deal with, but you’ve stuck by me anyway. Nobody–” She cuts herself off and swallows, her throat working.
Something inside me shifts in the face of her unwavering trust. Whatever remaining resistance I had built up futilely to protect my heart from her crumbles. I reach into my pocket, hands gripping the gift I’ve tucked away. My body relaxes instantly as if acknowledging this inevitability.
Besides, it’s not in my nature to deny myself what I need.
“Roisin... What I said before about not wanting us to mean anything–”
“It’s okay, really,” she interrupts, a little flustered. “We haven’t known each other that long, and there was a lot of adrenaline and...”
Her voice trails off as she finally notices the ring box in my hand.
“I know marrying me isn’t what you wanted, and you have every right to deny me,” I say as I carefully examine her face for doubt. “I won’t hold it against your brother if you do. You have my word.”
“When did you...”
“It’s an heirloom,” I explain, a hint of nostalgia in my voice. “I rescued it along with our clothes from the fire. It was stupid, really. I think I’m just getting sentimental in my old age.”
“You’re not even thirty,” she teases gently, but her body still seems frozen in shock.
“My point,cara,” I continue, “is that even though everything feels awful, and there are so many ways this could go wrong, you are the only thing that has been holding me together. I think you’re so ridiculously adorable and funny and smart. And I would like to date you.”
I open the ring box, revealing the giant stone inside. By the way Roisin’s eyes widen in disbelief, I assume it’s to her liking.
