He shakes his head.
“The thought of not spending the rest of my life with you.”
He studies me for a moment. “Your mother will flip out, won’t she?”
A stab of anxiety twists my guts but I shove it away. “Probably. That’s her issue, not mine. I’ve tried several times to pay them back my college tuition, and they refused. They are the ones who insisted I go to college and leaned on me to go to law school. I didn’t beg them to pay for it—it was expected I would go, and I really wasn’t given a choice about going to law school. It’s time for me to stop living for them and start living for me.”
“She’s going to hate me.”
“She didn’t hate you before. She hated that I wouldn’t go along with all her plans for me. But when I did that, it mademeunhappy, and hurt you in the process. Took me too long to finally drive that point home inside my heart.”
“When did you change your mind about all of that?”
“It’s been brewing for a long time,” I admit. “When I saw the wedding bands in the jewelry store window Monday, I thought to myself, “Tommy would love those.’ That’s when I knew, and everything finally clicked into place.”
“Really?” I don’t blame him for looking dubious.
I nod. “I was terrified you’d already moved on and I’d screwed up my life and happiness just to make my parents happy.”
“Well, lucky for you, I’m an introvert.” Despite his smile I see the lines in his face that weren’t there the last time I held him in my arms. I hate that grief over what I did caused them.
“I’m so sorry. I cannot say that enough.”
He lays a finger over my lips. “I love you, but please, you don’t have to keep saying you’re sorry.Showme. Show me you mean what you say. That’s how you turn my answer into ayes.”
I nod.
He leans in and, cradling my face in his palms, gives me a long, sweet kiss so achingly beautiful and perfect that it nearly breaks me. He then tips his head toward my laptop. “Finish your work. We’ll talk later.”
“Thanks.”
He releases me and exits the kitchen with Jester following him.
I think maybe I finally have my life back on track.
I hope.
Chapter Eleven
Tomas
Yes, it’s admittedly borderline insane that I’m willing to let Des waltz back into my life and bed this easily but…
Is there any valid reason for me to sacrifice myself on some mythical altar of principles just to make him suffer?
Really?
I’m certain I have plenty of friends in town who might demand my guy’s head on a pike for how he left and never returned. Except despite their love and affection for me, they arenotme. Third-party righteous indignation on my behalf is very sweet, but it’s not very practical when applied to my life.
It certainly doesn’t warm the gaping space next to me in bed every night.
Can’t hold me on chilly evenings.
Won’t be a life partner for the rest of my time on this planet.
I’m not ready to talk about this to anyone yet. I know if I try, my business will spread around town more than it already has. No doubt I’m certain the sight of a strange vehicle parked in my driveway all night—a vehicle spotted just outside of town and attached to a suspected sighting of Desi—has already started tongues wagging. I’m genuinely shocked my phone’s not ringing off the hook this morning.
Then there’s the whole issue of I’m not yet certain what this is between me and Des.
