I narrow my gaze at her. “That still doesn’t make this right. Nothing will.”
“We can try tomakeit right. Joshua’s a reasonable person. If we talked to him, were honest about the way we feel, I’m sure he’d eventually come around to the idea of us.”
“Us?” The word rips from me like a curse. “You think there’s anus?”
She flinches, obviously hurt by my words, but she doesn’t back down.
“There could be.”
“No, there can’t, Claire. You said you knew what this was. Casual. Fun. No attachment. Nous.”
“I know what I said. But Tahoe made me realize I want more with you.” She pauses for a beat and licks her lips, as if steeling herself. “I’m falling in love with you, Declan.”
The ground drops out from under me, everything spinning out of control as I take another step back.
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am.” She moves toward me, not allowing me to escape this. “And I know you’re falling for me, too.”
“No, Claire. I’m not. I?—”
“I felt it, Declan.”
Her voice trembles, but she doesn’t try to hide from me. Doesn’t mask her emotions. Not like I do.
Instead, she lets me see this side of her. Her vulnerability. Her affection. Her…love?
“That night in Tahoe… That wasn’t just sex. You madeloveto me.”
Her words lance through me, hitting every part of me I’ve tried to keep buried. But it’s impossible with her standing in front of me, forcing the memories of that night to play before me. How I took my time with her. How I wanted to savor every moan, every sigh, every quiver.
“Claire, please, I?—”
“I get that this is scary.” She grabs my hands in hers, grounding me to her instead of allowing me to flee. “I’m terrified, too. But I’m done running from things that scare me. I’m done settling for scraps because I’m too afraid to ask for what I deserve. And I want you. I want us. I know you do, too.”
Her conviction tugs at something deep inside me. Something I can’t explain. Before I can think better of it, I grab her face in my hands and press my forehead to hers, breathing her in like oxygen.
“I…”
“Yes?” She inches her lips to mine.
“I,” I repeat.
“Yes, Declan. Say yes.”
“I…” I pull back, meeting her gaze as she pleads with me to finally take a leap of faith. “I can’t.” I quickly release my hold on her, averting my gaze.
“Can’t?” Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. “Or won’t?”
“What’s the difference?”
“You’re a lawyer. You know one word can change everything.”
“Not this time,” I rasp. “Not when the outcome is the same.”
“And what outcome is that?” she asks, although she already knows the answer.
She’s known from the beginning.
