Page 116 of Ruin

I can see the fear in his eyes. Fear that I’ll tell him no, turn him away again. That’s what makes me finally tell him the truth.

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Then, we can make this work.”

“But—”

“No buts, Dove. I love you. And you love me. We’ll make this work.”

I close my eyes, trying to gather my thoughts. “But Gigi…I can’t risk…” I open my eyes to look at him. “I don’t want her to get attached to the idea of us in case it doesn’t work out.”

“So, we keep it between you and me for now. We won’t tell Gigi that we’re together until you feel ready.”

“And what about this house?”

“It’s not going anywhere. I can work on getting it ready for us. And, when you’re ready to move in, you and Gigi, I’ll be here, waiting.”

Everything he’s saying is wonderful and perfect. But I’m scared. My pulse is racing. My heart chasing it.

“Cam…”

I blink up at him. “I’m afraid,” I confess.

Pain floods his eyes. “I hate that I did this to you.” He squeezes his eyes shut and presses his lips to my forehead. “I’m so fucking sorry.” He kisses my temple. “I’ll never hurt you again. I swear.” A kiss to my cheek. “Just let me back in, and I promise to spend the rest of my life taking care of you and Gigi. Let me fix us.”

“What if you can’t?” My voice is shaky.

I don’t realize I’m crying until he brushes my tears away with his thumbs.

“Can’t isn’t an option, babe. I will fix us. And you will trust me again.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, thinking—not with my fearful mind, but with my heart. The one that’s loved him for nine years.

“Okay,” I whisper, opening my eyes.

“Okay?”

“I’m willing to try. You and me.”

His face is filled with so much happiness right now that I can’t stop myself from smiling.

“Really?”

“Really. But we take it slow, and Gigi isn’t to know until we’re absolutely sure that we’re going to work out.”

“We’re gonna work, baby.”

Then, he grabs my face and kisses me as surely as his words. It’s hard not to feel his happiness and excitement even though I’m still worried, wishing that I felt the same level of assuredness that we will work out as he does.

“I fucking love you,” he says over my lips.

“I love you, too,” I tell him for the first time in a long time. It’s scary to say but also a damn relief. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to say those words to him.

He pulls back from me, staring into my eyes, his shining with emotion that clutches at my chest. “Say it again.”

I swallow nervously and lick my lips. His eyes drop to them.

“I love you.”