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He brushed his thumbs under my eyes. “Get yourself together, Barn,” he said gently. “We have shopping to do, and you can’t go into a store in such a mess.”
I shoved at him as I sobbed/snorted/laughed. “It’s your fault.”
“And if you keep at it, I’m going to cry. Do you know what it would do to my reputation to bawl on the sidewalk?” He shook his head. “I’d never live it down.”
I shoved again, but he pulled me in. His scent enveloped me. His embrace was safe, a comfort, and I didn’t want him to let me go.
“Can you forgive me?” I whispered, though I couldn’t look at him, too afraid of what I’d see.
“I still don’t know.” He kissed the top of my head. “Somehow, you break through all my defenses.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You did what you thought was right,” he said against my hair. “It was wrong, by the way.”
“I know that now.”
“I told you you’d have to choose between me and Alma.”
I drew in a steadying breath and touched his cheek. “It’s not a choice at all.”
His mouth flattened. “Are you going to tell her about the judge?”
I furrowed my brow. “For being so smart, you can be dense.” I patted his cheek. “Don’t you know? I’ve already chosen you.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
KANE
I’ve already chosen you.
Her words seemed impossible.
Yet she hadn’t tossed me out of her home in the Hamptons. She’d kicked Alma out.
She wasn’t at Alma’s lawyer’s office or strategizing ways to help her in the divorce. She’d waited on me outside the courthouse.
She still needs you to defend Penelope.
I told that doubting part of my brain to shut up. She did need me for that, but nothing else.
While the truth about Penelope being mine was forced to light, my gut told me JoJo was going to be honest someday.
I was still mad as hell at the situation. It wasn’t all on JoJo’s shoulders. I could accept that. What Alma did was unforgivable.
I still harbored anger toward JoJo . . . even though she felt too good in my arms. Too right.
I needed that feeling more than my anger.
I kissed her forehead.Why couldn’t I stop touching her?
“My office isn’t far from here. We can wash your face—”
“I’m not ashamed.” She held her head high.
“Then we’ll carry on.” I slipped my hand into hers. “Unless you want to go have a steak lunch first. I know a place—”
“I’m sure you do, but no.”
