“I’m sorry,” I say again. “You’re not convenient. You’re not something to hide. I just… I need time to get used to people knowing. People watching.”
She’s quiet for a long moment. “How much time?”
“I don’t know.”
Wrong answer. I see it in the way her face closes off.
“Okay,” she says quietly. “I understand.”
“Holly—”
“I should get ready for the senior center event. Sophie’s expecting me.”
“Can I see you tomorrow?”
She studies my face, and her expression hardens. “Why? So you can take me to Roz’s and prove a point? One public breakfast and everything’s fine?”
“It’s a start?—”
“Cole, I need more than a start. I need to know what happens thenexttime. When someone posts about us again. When your privacy gets invaded. When people gossip.” Her voice cracks. “Ineed to know you won’t panic and make me feel like something to hide every time being with me costs you something.”
I force myself to breathe. “What do you need?”
“Time. I need time to think about whether I can risk this again. Whether one breakfast is enough proof that you’ve changed.”
The words make me step back. But she’s right. “Okay. Fair. Take your time.”
“I will.” She moves toward the door. “Thank you for the apology. But Cole... I can’t go through this again. So when I decide, it needs to be because I believe you. Not because I want to.”
I stand. Head for the door. She follows. At the threshold, I turn back. “Holly?”
“Yeah?”
“Tomorrow at Roz’s I’ll prove it. I’ll show everyone you’re mine. No hesitation. No hiding.”
“And if you can’t?”
“Then you walk away, and I’ll deserve it.” I meet her gaze. “But I won’t fail. Not this time. Not with you.”
She studies my face, and something in her expression shifts. Not forgiveness yet, but maybe... hope.
“I need to think,” she says.
“I know. And if meeting at Roz’s needs to wait, that’s okay. When you’re ready… if you’re ready… call me.”
I leave before she can respond.
seven
. . .
Holly
I stareat my phone for ten minutes. Fifteen. My thumb hovers over his name.
I can’t do this. Can’t let him leave like that.
I hit call.
