“There’s…there’s something I need to tell you.” The hand holding mine squeezes before he closes his eyes and exhales a long breath. “You can’t marry Dean.”
I jerk my hand from his and turn to face the mirror. I can’t look him in the eyes right now, because if I do he might see right through me. “Don’t be ridiculous, Linc. We’ve talked about this. This is the right thing to do.”
His eyes hold mine in the mirror, looking into the deepest part of my soul; he speaks softly but with underlying conviction. “I’m in love with you.”
My hand flies to my throat but it does nothing to stop my heart from trying to pound its way out of my chest. He reaches for my arm and spins me in place. His warm hands cradle my cheeks, desperate eyes locking with mine. “I’m in love with you, Sylvie. I’ve always been in love with you. I was just too damn scared to do anything about it. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship, or worse, lose you. I can’t lose you. Please, don’t marry him. Please. Because someday, I want you to marry me.”
I bathe in his words. The ones I have longed to hear from him for so long. But just as quick as they invade my heart, they destroy my soul completely. Anger gnaws at my gut as blood heats in my veins.
Why is he doing this now?
Now that it’s too late.
Reaching for his wrists, I pull his hands away from my face, but his touch obliterates my resolve. He holds me steady, and before I can protest, his lips seize mine.
In my head I screamno.
I know I should not be kissing Linc just minutes before I am to marry Dean, but my heart selfishly takes everything it can from this kiss.
Because, deep down, I know this can never happen again.
Slipping my hands between his arms, I clutch his smooth face, pulling in a deep breath through my nose, inhaling every single breath of him. His tongue tangles with mine possessively as he wraps his arms around my waist, holding me close.
I never want him to let me go.
I want to lose myself in this moment forever.
My mind finally catches up with the moment and what we’re doing. My hands shove at the wall of his chest but he doesn’t budge.
“Sylvie,” he pleads against my lips, and my heart crumbles.
Tears clog my throat as I push at his arms, twisting my head away from his seeking mouth. “Linc, please.”
His forehead rests on my cheek, both of us searching for air.
After a few moments, I take a step back, attempting to regain some shred of composure. Then I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror once more. Taking in my bloodshot eyes and my swollen lips.
Shame swallows me whole.
Linc continues to hold my hand. “Please don’t do this. I can’t leave this room without you,” he says, pain embedded in his voice.
“It’s too late, Linc.”
He squeezes my hand tighter. “No, it’s not. It’s never too late.”
I bring my free hand to my lower belly, knowing damn well it is. I will never regret this child. I plan on being the best mother and wife I can be, but I will always regret not telling Linc how I feel about him.
I shake my head; unable to find the words I need to let him go.
He takes a step closer. “Do you love me?”
“Linc, don’t do this to me, please.”
His hand shoots to the side of my neck, bringing my eyes to his. “Answer me, Sylvie. Do you love me?”
He can see it. I know he can. My heart is screaming so loud inside my chest; my ears are ringing with the truth. But if I confess my true feelings for him, it will only make it worse.
For him and for me.
