The look in his eyes is a dangerous mix of ferocity, apology, and something else I’m not ready to label.
My heart hammers in my chest.
“Maybe this time, you’ll admit it’s too much to carry alone. Maybe this time, you let someone shoulder it with you.” He steps closer, testing the ground between us. “Maybe this time,” he says, barely above a whisper, “you let someone fight next to you.”
The air crackles. I’ve never wanted anything more than I want his mouth on mine, just to drown out the world for a minute.
It’s like he’s peeked inside my brain and doesn’t just know what I want, he knows what Ineed. A reprieve from being the only person to handle everything. A reminder of who I used to be before I was in charge of a whole other human and no instruction manual.
“Maybe I don’t know how.”
“What if we figure it out together?” His voice is so quiet, I can’t tell if he actually said those words or if I imagined them out of desperation.
“What?”
He takes the last step between us and takes my hands, weaving his fingers through mine. It’s familiar, something we’ve done a thousand times before, a whole lifetime ago. His thumbs skim my knuckles, sending fireflies scattering up my arms.
“What if I said I might have a solution to both of our problems?” His voice is low and velvety.
Ourproblems. The word lodges in my ribs.
My brows pull tight. It’s impossible to think with him this close, and the memory of how his lips feel on mine, how safe his arms are.
“I’m open to suggestions at this point.”
As hard as it is to admit, I mean it. I’m desperate for a ladder out of this hole.
And I’m desperate enough to reach for it—with him—even if it means that ladder is a little shaky. And maybe, I’m also desperate for more time with him.
That scares me and thrills me at the same time.
It’s been a long time since I felt this way.
Since Aiden, round one.
“It’s a little crazy,” he warns.
The room fades at the edges as he leans in.
“I’m willing to entertain crazy,” I whisper, chuckling.
“Then don’t stay with Abby,” he says softly. “I have extra room. You and Phoebe can stay on the other end of the house if you’d like. For a few nights or weeks or whatever you need, until the studio and your apartment are sorted and safe. Let me carry part of this.”
My breath catches.
Before I can answer, he swallows, eyes searching mine.
“Marry me,” he says quietly. “Be my wife.”
fourteen
AIDEN
Pine green eyes widen,and she draws in a sharp inhale.
“Marry you? Likeman and wife?”
I grimace. “I warned you.”
