Page 115 of Under Her

“You hurt me. And I’m not just talking about the past. That’s over and done. The moment I let you kiss me in Thailand, I decided it was time to let all of that go. I thought you’d changed. That’s why I let myself fall for you again. But, that last day in my office…the things you said…”

“I’m so sorry,” I beg. “So fucking sorry.” Panic is filling my chest, and I’m ashamed to admit there are tears in my eyes.

“You thought I was capable of betraying you like that.”

“I reacted badly. I know.”

“That’s an understatement. What you said…” Her eyes fill with tears, and I hate that I’m the one who put them there. “I don’t think I can trust you with my feelings anymore.”

She slips her hands from mine.

The panic inside me fills to full-blown fear. “Please, baby. I fucked up, and I’m so sorry. Just don’t throw us away.”

“I didn’t. You did. A couple of days ago.”

I’ve lost her. And I don’t know what to do.

“Please, babe. I made a mistake then. I’ve made too many mistakes when it comes to you. But I’m willing to do anything to fix things between us. I just…I need you. The company needs you. Neither of us will survive without you.”

She closes her eyes and blows out a breath. “Wilder…I can’t come back to work…not now.”

Because of me.

“The company’s yours.”

“What?” Her eyes pop open.

At first, I’m shocked, too, that I said it. But then it’s suddenly so clear. I know it’s the right thing to do. The way to show her that I’m sorry and how much she means to me is to give her the one thing that has always meant the most to me. Because, when I compare the two—Morgan and the business—there is no comparison. She wins out every time.

“The company is yours. You can run it alone as CEO.”

“Wilder…no. Why would you do that?”

“Because I love you. Because the company needs you. You’re the best thing that has ever happened to Under Her. You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. I know I fucked us up, but I won’t be the reason you walk away from the company. You’re amazing at your job. Look at how much you’ve done in such a short time.”

“And look what happened. The deal went south.”

“But it can be fixed. I know it can. And, if anyone can sort it out, it’s you.”

She bites her lip and stares past me. The silence that hangs between us is killing me.

“Maybe…but I don’t want to do it alone,” she says quietly.

And my heart stops.

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying”—she blows out a breath—“that you messed up. But so have I.” Her eyes come to mine. “I never told you back in college how I felt. Or that you hurt me. I never gave you the chance to apologize or make it right. I just shut down on you.”

“If I hadn’t said or done those things, then—”

She silences me with her fingers to my lips. “I know. But it’s in the past. I want it to stay there. And, the other day…you screwed up big time, but I can understand why you thought it was me. You should have trusted me at my word, but I understand why you jumped to the wrong conclusion.”

I take hold of her hand and slip her fingers across my lips. “So, you forgive me?”

She shrugs. “I guess…but you’ve got some serious making up to do, Cross.”

“Are we talking making up to do as co-CEOs or…me as your boyfriend?”