“I wasn’t done,” Damien bit out. “Because the real question is, how dareyou? Your daughter works so damn hard to make everyone around her happy, and do you ever stop to think about what makes her happy? Or are you too busy judging her choices to even consider it?”
My mother’s mouth dropped open, and she turned, perhaps seeing me for the very first time. But before she could say anything that might ease the tension between us, her eyes darted around the room. While we were tucked far enough away from any prying ears, I should have known she’d never let down her defenses in public.
“As I said, this is neither the time nor placefor this conversation.” She narrowed her eyes at Damien before turning back toward me. “We will discuss this later. I expect you to be ready by five on Friday.”
I couldn’t speak, so all I did was nod, hating that the words I wanted to say stalled on my tongue. As they walked away, Damien’s hand engulfed mine, pulling me out of the room. Once we broke out into the gardens, he twisted me to face him.
“I’m so sorry, Bri. I didn’t think?—”
I cut off his words with my kiss. He let out a sharp breath before relaxing into my embrace, and his hands found my waist. His touch soothed the broken pieces inside my heart, clicking back together, just needing him close to feel whole again. But the reality of our situation crashed to the forefront of my mind. I leaned back, needing to get my head together. God, being around this man was turning me into the queen of mixed signals.
The sudden thought caused me to push him back, needing some space to get my thoughts together. I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that, not until?—”
“Don’t.” Damien silenced me with his forefinger on my chin, tilting it up so I had no choice but to meet his eyes. “I’m trying here, Bri. I really am. And you know I’ll keep fighting for you, as long as it takes. But I can’t keep fighting you.”
“Me?” I asked, snapping out of his grip.
Damien sighed and placed his hands on his hips. “I fucked up, Bri. I own that. But when are you going to stop pushing me away? I told you I love you, told you I’m not going anywhere. But at some point, I need you to meet me halfway.”
“Do you…” My voice trailed off, unable tofinish the thought. “What are you saying?”
“I need something, Bri. A sign, something to show me you’re in this too. That you’re fighting for us just as much as I am. I can’t keep standing here, begging for you to give me a chance. It hurts too fucking much.” His dark eyes met mine, and the pain lurking in them knocked the air from my lungs. “Tell me you don’t love me. Tell me I’m wasting my time. Because I’d do anything for you, Bri, but I can’t keep going without something.”
I clutched my hand to my chest, hating how his words cut so deep. All I wanted was to forgive him, to lay down my walls and let him back in. Although he’d lowered them, they were still standing strong, keeping me from laying my heart in his hands. “You’re not wasting your time,” I whispered, averting my eyes. “I want to be with you, Damien, I really do. I’m struggling to trust you right now, but that doesn’t mean…” My voice cut off, unable to complete the sentence.
That doesn’t mean I don’t love you.
I shifted closer to him and placed my hands on his chest. His heart pounded against the fabric of his shirt, so hard, I could feel it in my fingers. He was here, being open, laying his heart out for me, unsure if I would protect or crush it. “Please don’t give up on me, Damien. I just need time.”
Damien searched my gaze, and I prayed he could see the emotions behind my words, how hard it was for me to admit them, though I felt them all the same. Eventually, his eyes shuttered closed, and he dropped his forehead against mine. “Then I’ll keep waiting.”
I let out a choked sob, relief like I’d never known overcoming me. My fingers dug into his shirt, and we held each other for a long moment. Eventually, others started to pour into the garden, so we brokeapart. But before Damien could leave, I grabbed his hand. “Thank you for waiting for me. I’m trying. I promise.”
“No need to thank me for that,” Damien sighed. “There’s no timeline when it comes to you, Bri.”
FORTY-ONE
“There’s no timeline when it comes to you, Bri.”
Damien’s words played through my mind like an anthem, and no matter how hard I tried, they refused to leave. All day, even as I tried to focus on teaching, I kept picturing his expression, the resigned hope I’d get over my fears and come back to him.
The Hawks game droned on in the background, coming from Ollie’s laptop perched on the edge of my bed. I had no interest in watching, but she insisted, claiming she needed moral support as she watched Parker. Honestly, she surprised me when she announced she wouldn’t be going to the game, even though it was at home. She claimed to have a big meeting in the morning, but I felt it had more to do with my plans for the night and her being a great friend than anything work-related.
“For the record, I still think this is a terrible idea.” The clothes in my closet muffled the sound of Ollie’s voice. She’d been in there for almost ten minutes, trying to find something for me to wear to Todd’s wedding. “But if you’re sure about going, we need to find the hottest dress you own.”
“Ol, trust me, there’s nothing that impressive in my closet.” I thumbed the fabric of my black sheath dress. “This is probably the nicest thing I own.”
She pouted as she pulled her head out, and then she snapped her fingers. “Then it’s a good thing shopping is my greatest stress relief. I’ve got a bunch of dresses you can try on.”
“Have I mentioned you're the best?”
“Not today.” Ollie smirked as she walked out the door. But before she got too far, she stopped, tapping her nails on the frame. “Before I go, I’m calling in the bestie card right now, and I need you to do me a favor.”
“Okay…” I drawled, frowning as I turned to face her.
She sighed and shook her head. “Tell me why you’re going tonight.”
“Ol, I already told you. I promised my mom I’d go and at least show my face for a little bit, prove to everyone I haven’t turned into a bitter spinster. Besides—she made some good points. It’ll be a good olive branch between our families. We might not be together anymore, but our families run in the same circles. In the end, I can sacrifice one night if it makes them happy.”
