“It’s not too late to work at being honest.” She wasn’t sure why she was trying so hard to convince him to fight for them. But a part of her couldn’t let go of the possibility yet.
“Ach, but that’s just it. The lying and deception are already right at the front of our relationship.”
“So, you don’t believe in fixing what’s wrong?”
“Since I’m fated to face so many challenges in my marriage, I’d like to start out on solid ground.”
“Oh, I see.” She couldn’t keep her frustration from swelling. “You’re looking for a perfect relationship with a perfect woman so you can hopefully have a perfect marriage.”
He didn’t offer a word of protest.
She huffed. “Good luck finding the perfect wife, Bellamy.”
“I won’t find a perfect wife. I know no one is perfect, least of all me. But if I can arrange perfect matches for others, then I can strive to find one for myself too.”
“Is there really such a thing as a perfect match?” Her romantic heart liked to think so. But when two imperfecthumans came together, weren’t there bound to be issues and problems? “No one is immune from adversity. Maybe a perfect match has to do with how well a couple displays humility and perseverance and the willingness to forgive.”
A shout of alarm came from the area beyond the hallway.
She sat up, and she could hear Bellamy move as well.
Someone had finally arrived at the bank. Had they discovered the robbery?
20
Bellamy banged against the door of the storage room. “In here!” he shouted. Beside him, Zaira banged on the door too. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed since they’d heard voices in another part of the bank. It felt like an eternity but had likely only been five minutes.
He was fairly certain it was morning and that the first tellers or manager were starting a new day of work and had discovered something amiss in the main area of the bank.
“Help!” Zaira called.
He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against the door. What had he been thinking to kiss her so passionately? The trouble was, he hadn’t been thinking. Now he’d just stirred up more emotion between them that hadn’t needed stirring.
She’d obviously experienced a connection to him the same way he had to her, and she hadn’t been bashful in bringing up her questions about what was next for them.
Whether or not they had more feelings for each other, they’d agreed upon a temporary relationship. That was allhe was capable of giving her. Besides, she deserved better than to be strung along by a man like him who was cursed when it came to love.
He never should have agreed to her plan in the first place. Because he’d always been attracted to her and had just been in denial about it. He’d thought she was the most beautiful girl in the world from the moment he’d first set eyes on her years ago when he’d been twelve and she’d been only nine.
He’d only been in St. Louis for a week after moving from Ireland and had been at mass with Jenny and Gavin. The Shanahan family had already been in the front pew. He’d spotted her right away. With her pretty red curls, she’d been difficult to miss. She’d shifted to watch him when he’d entered the pew with his family, and her beautiful green eyes had captivated him. He’d been admiring her when she’d stuck her tongue out at him. Of course, she’d followed with a big smile, one that had melted him.
Maybe his heart had always had that soft spot for her—not only her beauty but her sweetness and sassiness.
Aye, she was beautiful and talented and amazing in so many ways, and she would make some fine fellow really happy.
That fine fellow just wouldn’t be him.
But who? Who would be good enough for Zaira?
His mind raced with the faces of different men he knew and respected. But he threw out the prospect of each one, his gut hardening at the image of her with another man. Would she kiss someone else the way she had him? As if she wanted more of him and couldn’t get enough?
Scowling, he shook his head. He didn’t want to thinkabout her kissing anyone. He could hardly stomach the idea of any fellow laying a finger upon her, much less holding her tight and ravishing her lips.
The truth was, he wanted to be theonlyman who ever touched her. If he couldn’t have her, he didn’t want anyone else to have her either. But the other truth was that someday he would likely be the one who had to find her a match, and he wasn’t sure he would be able to do it.
More loud voices shouted from somewhere in the building.
Were the bank workers coming down to the lower level to check on the vault?
