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There it is.
I said it.
“What?” Both voices ask in stereo but Alex’s is a little louder than hers.
Alex’s composure fades fast as my request registers, then he places his palms on his lap and pushes himself farther into his seat. I know that look. He’s trying to think fast, absorb everything. I know he wants her, that part of my suggestion is sinking deep into his bones.
What shocks me is Willow. She doesn’t look concerned. She looks intrigued and now I know she missed us just as much.
That’s the nail in her figurative coffin.
I’m not letting go of this.
“You don’t know how we felt about you, did you?” I ask outright.
“Shane—wait.” Alex is trying to buy a little more time. She’s had his heart since the first day he saw her. He wouldn’t be able to handle her official rejection, but I’m betting all of my dollars I’m right about this.
“No—I—we were friends.” Willow answers then Alex jumps in.
“We are friends,” he answers her, then glares at me with wide eyes.
“Yes, Willow.” I agree with Alex. “But you don’t know how badly we wanted to be with you. You were the only one who saw us for who we are. And you accepted the us you saw. We both fell for you. It almost ended our friendship. We backed off because we thought that was what was best for you.” Then everything settles in me like it was meant to be and I speak without thinking. “But it’s us. We are what is best for you, Kitten.”
At my use of her nickname, goosebumps form on her arms.
She can’t hide the effect we have on her. She really needs to work on her poker face.
I glance over to Alex, and his is gone as well.
He monitors Willow with an intense look of curiosity etched into his features. He’s following along with my words, and the sober look on his face tells me he agrees with me. So I keep putting my thoughts out there.
“So here is what’s going to happen: your business will remain yours, you will send your doctor’s contact information to us in the morning, and we will get your daughter access to anything she needs. You’ll also tell us which banks hold your mortgages. Do you understand?”
“Shane, I—”
“Do you understand me, Willow?” There’s a stern edge to my tone, and she demurely drops her eyes from me for the first time since I’ve started talking.
Good.
“Yes, I understand. Thank you. I don’t know what to say.” She wrings her dress in her fists.
I know it’s a lot to take in, but she needs us in every sense, and I’m done living a lie.
We need her just as much.
As I take a breath to continue, Alex joins the conversation, and it catches me off guard.
“You can start by telling us how you feel about us. Or how you felt. Do you understand what Shane is asking you for?” He reaches one hand over hers on her lap and touches her for the first time in a long time.
The contact is electrifying.
With each passing minute in here I realize we are all getting closer and closer to everything we’ve ever desired.
“You were my best friends. I loved you both. I would never have chosen between the two of you. I was so sad when we drifted apart but I would never have been able to choose one over the other. I still won’t choose between the two of you.” As she speaks to Alex, her brows become knitted as she thinks over her next sentence. “But ownership. You want to own me? I’m not sure what you’re saying. Do you mean I work here for you?”
Her question is endearing.
This is why we’ve always wanted her. She is so removed from our world. She still thinks it’s going to be one of us or the other. Her innocence shines a beautiful light all around her. But I still sense something dark about her.
