Page 115 (1/2)

I thought ere on the right track My heart beats faster, like I iven the chance that I so desperately want That I need To have it lost in an instant based on gossipI’m to blame I’m the one who hurt her It’s because of me that she would even believe that lie

Then her eyes pin ood talk, but it was about walking the walk as well You and I were always sitting on the sa to protect from the other We were on the saht ere really coive ed”

“We were on the same team We are We still are, Tealey”

“I believe you I really do I think you’re hardwired to work in such a way that you’d rather hide your heart than put it on the line to be hurt And I think that’s why you did this, whether you’re conscious of it or not” She stands, leaving est

But the flaw in her argu I do treat us like we’re on different sides of a case

She leans her hip against the kitchen bar with her arins to dissipate, but the distrust is still on display in her pursed lips I slow the questions racing through my head This isn’t a cross-examination This is the woman I want to be with, the one I want to marry

I stand, co on the back of it We have enough separating us that I don’t want distance to add to it

“I fucked up,” I say “I’ht I had your devotion and lost your trust My attention was divided when you gave me all of yours But I need you to know the truth because sorapevine, someone else lied to you”

Her ar herself siven the chance, I’ll make sure she always kno much she means to me and that I value her

“Who lied?” she asks “About what?”

“You s, especially love, but hear me out I would never, not ever sacrifice the chance to ask for your hand in ain financial wealth”

Her blinks have appeared measured until nohen they beco”

“When I ask you to marry me, that will be the only time I ever ask anybody”

She begins to pace in front ofat me She stops and staresyou didn’t ask Marlow to marry you?”