“Did something happen in London? Something you haven’t told me?”
I pull back and stare at the man who, in a month and a half, will become my husband.
I shake my head. “No,” I tell him truthfully.
He knows now it was Elijah I was helping and not Gabriel. Although I explained to him, it was Gabriel who asked.
“Ah. But you still love him, don’t you?”
I drop my forehead to his chest, his hands going to my shoulders, his fingers flexing, soothing the tight muscles.
Kris knows all about my past with Elijah, or lack of it. He knows about my unrequited love for a man that was never, and could never be mine. It’s amazing what you’ll admit when playing truth or dare after a few drinks. It was before we got together so he knows everything. Why I’ve been single all these years. My shattered hopes and dreams.
“We reminisced. It brought back a lot of memories.”
He runs a soothing hand up and down my back.
“He’s single now,” Kris says. “Maybe?—”
“No, he has Lottie. He’s made it clear she’s his number one priority.”
“He can raise his daughter and be in a relationship,” Kris says.
“Maybe if he felt that way about me. Our relationship has always been platonic on his part. It was me who fell for a man outside my league. To him, I’m a close friend. Nothing more.”
Kris lets out a bark of laughter.
“Is that what you think? Elijah Frazer is out of your league? Take it from me, Penelope Dawson. You could not be further from the truth. That man has it bad, and, if anything, you’re out ofhisleague, and he knows it.”
I pull back and grip Kris’s forearms.
“No. Stop. I know what you’re trying to do.” I pull away, but he holds on to me. “I won’t let you.”
He inclines his head and stares at me. “You really have no idea, do you?” he says. “Pen, the way Elijah looked when he saw us together at Caleb and April’s wedding. I can promise you he was jealous. He’s not as immune as you think he is. He can’t even bring himself to come to our wedding.”
I shake my head. “You’re mistaken. He has to look after Lottie, especially as the rest of his family are coming.”
My thoughts return to Leah’s words, to Kat’s. To the words Elijah muttered when he thought I was out of hearing.Could he want me?
Kris takes hold of my hand and leads me to the sofa.
“Pen. You’re Penelope Dawson, a self-made millionaire. You’re a genius with a workforce who would walk through fire and ice for you. Half the men in the world would give their right arm to date you. Why do you find it so hard to believe Elijah Frazer is any different?”
“Only half the men?” I quirk an eyebrow, not understanding why Kris is telling me all this.
“Okay, maybe three-quarters. What I’m saying is. You’re beautiful, intelligent, and witty, but for some reason, when itcomes to Elijah, you seem to have a block. He turns you back into the woman you were before. The one you showed me pictures of. The one who wore a mask of metal and face paint.”
I rest my forearms on my thighs. My hands still clasped in Kris’s.
“I’m not sure where you’re going with this. Why are we even talking about Elijah Frazer? He doesn’t matter. I’m marrying you in six weeks. We’re starting a new life together, putting the past behind us. We both agreed.”
I look up, and his expression breaks my heart.
He purses his lips.
“Pen, I would love to marry you for all the reasons I just stated.” He sighs. “But I don’t think I’m the man for you.”
I sit up and spin on the sofa, releasing his hands and capturing his face.
