She looked at me dead in the eye and I could see the fury and hurt tangling in hers.
I took a breath, softer this time. “I didn’tcheaton you, Orla. I would never.”
She crossed her arms tighter, like she was holding herself together. “Then what the hell was that photo?”
I dragged a hand through my hair, pacing once before spinning back to her. “That was my sister-in-law.”
Her brow shot up, full of skepticism. “Your what?”
“Trav’s wife. Eve,” I snapped. “I told you I was having dinner with him; she came along. I’ve told you about her—she’s the only person in the family who scares me. She was warning me not to fuck it up with you because I’d spent the whole evening talking about you. That’s all it was. A split-second shot. If the vultures had bothered to show the whole burst, you’d see Trav literally holding the cab door open right next to us.”
I jabbed a finger toward her suitcase by the wall. “And you didn’t even give me the chance to tell you that, did you? You just saw a headline and decided I was guilty. You checked into a different room, shut me out, and left me standing here like I’m every other asshole who’s ever let you down.”
Her arms twitched, her chin lifting higher, but I was already pushing forward, the heat clawing up my throat.
“You think I’d risk us for a night out? While I’m over there buying your favorite perfume? While I’m setting up our room with all your things because I couldn't stand the thought of you being back in the city and not being next to me?” My voice cracked, raw with an aching, desperate rage. “Is that really what you think of me?”
I couldn’t stop. The words were a flood now, breaking through every dam I’d tried to build.
“You think I’d take the time to remember that your favorite color is green? That you hate those stupid paper lids at Starbucks so I always ask for plastic? I know you reach out for me in your sleep even when you don't realize you’re doing it. I know your accent gets thick when you’re excited or when you're about to tear me a new one. You think I’d take the time to notice every single piece of you if I was just going to fuck around?”
Her eyes flickered. Just for a second, the ice in her gaze shattered, and the cracks began to show.
I stepped closer, the space between us charged with more than just anger now. "Orla, I haven't even looked at another woman since I met you. They don't exist. You..." My heart locked tight, the words I’d been terrified to say finally pushing to the surface. "You make me want it all. The future. The fucking babies. Every last bit of it. And you really think I’d throw that away for what? A cheap fuck while you were out of the way?"
Her breath stuttered. I could see the war behind her eyes—the girl who had been burned by everyone she ever trusted fighting the woman who knew me better than anyone.
“Tell me you believe me,” I said, softer now. Almost begging.
Her lips parted, but nothing came out. Then the fight just… left her. She collapsed into the chair beside her, burying her head in her hands.
“Fuck, Tyler. Yes… yes, I do. I believe you.” Her voice broke, and she shook her head as if she were mad at herself for ever doubting it. “I just—I saw the photo and I freaked. And then Danny… I was so angry I didn’t want to let you explain. You know I’m useless at dealing with stuff like this. I’m such a fucking idiot.”
In two strides I was kneeling in front of her, catching her wrists before she could bury herself in another spiral.
“You’re saying that to the guy who just ripped a door off its hinges because you wouldn’t talk to him,” I muttered, unable to help the smile that tugged at my mouth.
Her mouth twitched. A tearful laugh broke through.
I held her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me. “We’re both pretty fucking terrible at dealing with this shit, O, but maybe that’s what makes us work.”
A tear slipped down her cheek. I caught it with my thumb.
“Orla, I know it’s hard. They’re always going to print shit about me. I’ve learned to ignore it, but…I hate that it’s touching you now.”
She nodded, her expression broken and weary.
“Youhaveto trust me, baby. Look, I get it, the whole world knows what I was like in the past but this isn’t going to work if you don’t trust me Orla, you’re it for me.”
Something between fear and relief flickered in her eyes before she pulled me in by the neck and kissed me like she needed to drown the last twenty-four hours out of her system.
I kissed her back with everything I had, showing her the ache she’d left in my chest. If I could just get deep enough, she’d feel the truth I couldn't find the words for. My heart was thundering against hers, and before I could stop myself, the words I’d been hoarding finally spilled out.
“Fuck, Orla…” My voice cracked. I didn’t care. “I love you. I’m so fucking in love with you it’s tearing me apart.”
Her tear soaked eyes flew open, and for a second I thought I’d ruined it. Then she let out a broken sound between a sob and a laugh, and whispered against my mouth, “I love you too, Tyler. God, I love you.”
The last of my control shattered the moment those three words left her lips. I scooped her up by the thighs, her legs wrapping tight around my waist.
