Lizzy grabbed my hand, squeezing tightly. “JR, you can’t walk away, not without finding out what she wants. That’s not fair to her.”
“You didn’t see her in the hospital.”
“No, but I know her. She’s probably the most positive person I know.”
“And that should make me feel better?” I snapped. “She’s positive, so she’ll bounce back?”
“No, I just mean that she sees things in a different way than most people.”
Shoving to my feet, I paced her living room. “You don’t get it. I don’t want her to look at me like some savior. I did this. My life put her in danger. Can’t you see that?”
“I do.”
“Well, then?”
“But I also see that you’re not the same man who walked into my bar that first night. Then again, you tried to save me from Austin when he was drunk, so maybe you’re exactly the same man you were then.”
“I can’t keep her safe!” I snapped, finally getting to the heart of the issue. “What if he’s not the last person to come after her?”
“What if you ask her?”
“Ask her what? To take that chance? She’d have to be insane!”
“Or in love with you.”
I’d already bared my heart to her. I’d told her everything about me and she asked me to stay. Look at how that turned out. She ended up in the hospital anyway.
“Go back to her.”
“I can’t,” I snapped.
“No, you won’t because you’re afraid. But if you love her, you’ll do her the courtesy of finding out what she wants. Not everything is about you, JR. She should be able to make the decision about whether or not she wants you in her life.”
“I told her I was leaving and she said nothing!” I repeated. “That’s my answer.”
“No, that’s you demanding you get your way because you’re a stubborn man. She’s hurting, and instead of talking to her, you decided to walk away. What did you think she was going to do?”
Maybe she was right. Maybe I was being an ass about the whole thing. But I couldn’t stand the thought of her getting hurt because of me.
“Go back and see her. Otherwise, I don’t accept your resignation.”
“If I leave, you don’t have a choice.”
“Did it sound like I was asking?” she snapped.
It was kind of adorable how this little blonde woman could boss people around with just a smile and a little attitude. I doubted there was even an ounce of anger in her.
“Fine.”
“Good,” she grinned.
Turning for the door, I walked out, dialing Michael immediately.
“Yeah?”
“Your sister is getting up and moving around.”
“Goddamnit,” he hissed. “I’ll be right over there.”
