My eyes flick open to see a row of fairytale books before me.That’swhat I want. I want my own happily ever after, and I want it with Kai.
So maybe that’s what’s tearing me up inside. My rules don’t allow me to get that. They’re wimp rules from a wimp girl who doesn’t want to get hurt again.
But if I want to make the most of this experience, if I want to make each day count—I need to take the risk. And that means two things: no more guarding my heart, and no more guarding my lips.
I grin a little.
Focus, Nikki.
I clear my throat and nod because I can feel that I’m getting somewhere important.
New Rule Number One: I’ll seize the day. I’ll capture each moment. I’ll give myself to this experience and see it for the rare opportunity it is—a second chance with the only man I’ve ever loved.
But now I need another rule. One that helps me maintain my dignity. I’ve walked around wearing my pain like a badge of honor for years. And now I’m going to just swallow it back for all eyes to see and pretend it was my fault too? No.
So, New Rule Number Two: I willnotapologize for giving Kai the ultimatumorfor sticking to it when he left.
A new rush of life sweeps through me as the rules take root. They’re perfect. I’m finally free to explore things with Kai which, since I’m being honest with myself, is why I really came. And with my second rule, I can preserve something that is also very precious to me, right or wrong—my pride.
I suck in a satisfied breath because suddenly, I feel like a whole new woman.
Chapter Five
Day3
“Welcome toConfession Corner,”Colt cheers through the speaker between us.
I stare at the only overt camera I’ve seen in the house, ready to answer Colt Findley’s questions while, you guessed it, the cameras roll. At least I’m tucked safely into a small room in the library that I hadn’t even known was here before now.
“Oh, but first,” Colt says. “I need you to spin the stool about forty-five degrees, so you’re facing camera one.”
I look to my right and see only a wall.
“You’re facing camera two right now,” he explains. “Rotate to your left, and I’ll let you know when we’re good.”
I do as he says, shuffling my feet to turn to my left and spot a glass box that looks like a mirror.
“Perfect. Now, a question about your date yesterday,” Colt starts. “Please, tell us what in the world you were thinking when—upon kissing Kai formorethan sixty seconds, you naughty minx you—you got up, scurried over to the bookshelves, and shifted your weight erratically while rubbing your temples?”
I stifle an inward groan. “You’re making me sound nuts.”
“Yet youarethe one who behaved as such,” he counters. “Tell me—did you regret kissing Kai?”
“No,” I blurt. “I mean…not exactly.” I shake my head, wondering how much I’m willing to say. “I’d told myself that I shouldn’t kiss him while we were here, so when I did, I sort of panicked. But then I thought about themake it countquote and decided that I should take advantage of the time we had here and…see if it could work between us.”
“So you’re admitting that coming into this, you weren’t ready to give Kai a second chance?”
“Only part of me was ready.” I’m not about to admit that I named that part of me and had since given her full rein.
“And now?” he asks.
I think back on all the progress Kai and I made yesterday. The camaraderie, the conversations, the kiss. We spent the entire day together after breakfast. Until Colt announced it was time to go back to our rooms, that is.
“Andnow…” Colt prompts once more.
I bite back a grin. “And now I’m all in,” I admit.
“The old feelings are still burning strong, eh?”
