“Hmm,” he mutters, raising an eyebrow.
I push up my sleeves, determined to see her even if I have to spill my guts to a virtual stranger. There’s no one more important in Tilly’s life than Roger, and if he has to be the first one to hear the words, so be it.
“I mean it. I love her. Not just as a friend, but as so much more. I haven’t felt this way about another person since Marissa died. I know it’s crazy.” I rub the back of my neck, wishing I were saying these words to Tilly and not her brother-in-law. “I know it’s fast and probably doesn’t make much sense to you. But Tilly and I were meant to be. We’re fated. It’s destiny. She’s captured me completely. I freaking love her, Roger. I don’t throw that word around without meaning it either. I love Tilly!” I yell the last words, hoping like hell she can hear me.
He turns and glances toward her apartment. “She can’t hear you.” He drags his hand down his face and groans. “What a fucking mess.”
“Please,” I beg. “I need to talk to her.”
“Listen.” He kicks at the ground, finally relaxing his posture. “She’s fragile.”
“I know,” I whisper because I understand everything she feels so completely it’s ridiculous.
“I’ve known Tilly for a decade, and the only other man she’s ever been this crazy about was my brother.” He shakes his head slowly and stares at me. “If I let you in, you have to promise me you’re going to love her hard, be faithful forever, and always protect her.”
“I swear. I’d never hurt her,” I promise because I’d put any man who made Tilly cry in the ground.
You’re that asshole right now, Angelo. I grimace, knowing how badly I fucked up.
“If you’re playing her or lying to me, I will hunt you down.”
I nod quickly. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
He stares off into the distance and sighs. “She’s going to have my balls for this.”
“She won’t. I need to talk to her. I want her to know what she saw was nothing.”
He rubs his neck and steps to the side. “Make shit right. Tell her how you feel. She needs to hear it.”
I reach for the door handle and stop, turning to face Roger. “I will. I swear.”
He juts his chin toward the building. “Go get her. She’s in her bedroom.”
I take the steps two at a time, holding my breath the entire way until I’m inside her apartment. Before I reach her bedroom door, I stop and peer into the room. Her body’s draped across the bed, and she’s crying.
My heart breaks as I push open the door.
“Roger?” she asks without turning around.
I step inside and close the door, ready to set shit right.
23
Tilly
I bury my face in the crook of my arm and close my eyes. “Go away.”
His footsteps are heavy on the hardwood floor, but I don’t dare look up. He’s gutted me enough for one day. What the hell was Roger thinking, letting Angelo upstairs? He promised me he’d make sure Angelo went away.
The bed dips next to me. “Tilly.” Angelo’s voice is soft and sweet, but I know better. “Look at me, baby.”
“Don’t ‘baby’ me.” I bury my face deeper into the comforter, refusing to shed another tear. I’m too angry to be sad. I’d slap him across the face if I could look at him without bursting into tears.
“I know what you saw, but it’s not what you think.”
“I think you were touching someone who isn’t just a friend.” My voice is muffled by the blanket.
“That’s Michelle. Daphne’s best friend since elementary school. She worked at the bar up until a few weeks ago. She moved to California and just stopped in.”
