“Would you do it again?”
“What?”
“If you could go back, change your decision, would you?”
She paused, breathing deep and even. “No. I wouldn’t change a damn thing. I’d do it again without question. My son needed me, and I didn’t have another choice.”
“Then you’re exactly who I thought you were all along.”
She stared like she was still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“Are you still feeling lost, beautiful girl? Don’t you know who you are?”
“I used to. At least I thought I did.” Her voice broke. “Now I’m not sure of anything.”
“Let me tell you who you are to me.” My hand slid to the back of her head, not giving her room to retreat. “You’re a strong, independent woman who’d do anything for the people you love, even if it tears you apart inside. You’re honest when it counts, with the people who matter. You’re fun, mischievous, and sexy as hell.”
I reached for her hand, bringing it to my chest, placing it over my pounding heart. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, Jamie. Not just your face or your ass—though I happen to think both are fucking perfect—but you. Every piece of you. You’re a goddamn beautiful person, and I can’t imagine not having you in my life.”
Someone cleared their throat behind me.
I didn’t want to turn away from Jamie’s astonished expression. Didn’t care who was watching. Her reaction was too important to miss. Her cheeks flushed red, brow drawn tight, that sexy mouth hanging slightly open. Pure innocence wrapped in fire. No matter how corrupt she claimed to be, her heart was virtuous.
She was perfect, and I couldn’t look away. Not with my heart exposed and my future hanging in the balance.
For a moment, she looked like she wanted to say yes. Like she wanted to try.
Say yes to me.
Instead, her misty blue eyes traveled over my shoulder. The uncertainty lifted from her features as her mouth curved into a soft, warm smile.
“You always have been pretty awesome,” Dylan drawled.
My heart stopped. Pain rushed in to fill the empty space.
What the hell? Was she looking at him with love in her eyes?
“Maybe your awesomeness can forgive me? I somehow got coerced.”
Domineering asshole. One more word and I’d either knock him out or crumple to the floor in devastation.
“It’s okay.” Jamie’s eyes sparkled. “I was waiting.”
I hung my head, closed my eyes in defeat, and let her go. It hurt too much to watch her dump my attempt at a future right back in my lap.
“Sorry, but I really did try to give you more time,” he said.
More time? There could never be enough time with her.
“No, this is good. Well, nothing’s good right now. But having all of you here helps.”
All of you?
My eyes flew open. I spun around to face Dylan, shocked to see genuine guilt instead of the superiority I’d expected. Movement behind him drew my focus to the hallway, where Hunter stood beside Celeste as she pushed Caleb in a wheelchair.
Recognition hit like a freight train. The look on Jamie’s face wasn’t just love. It was devoted gratitude. Cherished appreciation directed at everyone who’d come to support her.
And I felt like a complete asshole.
