I sigh and run a hand through my hair. “Fine. He wanted to tell you, but I asked him not to. Not until we tackled the situation on our own.” I meet her gaze. “I know you, Marie. You would’ve jumped in front of her dad to save her, and I didn’t want it to be you. It had to be me. I’ll gladly take a hit for Hope—and I know you will too. But as I said, I was protecting you.”
Marie sniffles. “I want to hug you and punch you at the same time.”
My lips tug upwards in a smirk. “What will it be then?”
Pulling away from Sebastian, she comes in my direction and wraps her arms around my waist and squeezes once. Then comes the punch.
I wince and glare at her.
“I think it’ll be both,” she smirks back.
“MaybeIhate you,” I grit.
“Then I guess our feelings are mutual.”
Sebastian wraps an arm around Marie’s stomach and tugs her backward. “Calm down, baby.”
“I’m mad at you Heath Travon. You got months of groveling to do.”
I roll my eyes. “As if I care.”
“You will when I stop speaking to you.”
“I think I’ll finally find peace.”
“That’s what you think, but I know you’ll hate it.”
“You can think whatever you want, Blondie.”
“What makes you think I’m not. When I close my eyes—” she closes her eyes “—I see you buying me lots of cupcakes, my favourite winter drink everyday for a month and trying to talk to me.”
“Keep those eyes closed for a long time because that’s the only place where I’ll be groveling.”
Marie opens her eyes and grins. “You never know. A lot of strange things happen.”
“What do you mean by that?” I arch an eyebrow.
“You see, a few months ago you were walking around with an empty heart. But now your heart is filled with love. You’re always thinking about Hope. And when you’re near her, you can’t stop looking at her. And I saw you kissing her. You couldn’t stop. The guy I knew would never fall hard for a girl, but look at you now.”
My heart drums inside my chest.
Those words are not words. They’re facts.
Marie knew it from day one. Just like Sebastian.
Lifting my head, I let my gaze set on Sebastian who’s watching me with a smile.Asshole.I bet he’s dying to say something obnoxious to me.
Fall hard for a girl.
That’s ridiculous. I’m not in love with Hope. I just have feelings for her—feelings that won’t go away. The fact should bother me, it doesn’t. As long as they’re here, I’m connected to her and I crave that connection. I want her. And I want her bad. But that’s all there is to what I feel for her.
Not love.
Definitely not love.
“Marie, you’re annoying.” I can feel heat in my cheeks.
“Maybe, but I don’t care. Sebastian said what truly matters is whatyouthink of yourself.” She presses a soft kiss to his cheek and leans back in her chest.
