Which means it couldn’t be a brick wall.
Looking up, my eyes collide with cobalt eyes that I thought I would never see again. I lose the grip on my bags and they fall at my feet as my heart begins pounding in my ears.
The swoosh of blood is all I hear until he opens his mouth to speak.
“I don’t remember you being this clumsy, Cupcake.”
Andrew.
My Andrew.
He’s here!
But why?
After all this time, what made him come to me?
“What are you doing here?” I ask with a hitch in my voice.
Andrew kneels before me to pick up my scattered things.
“We need to talk,” he says, standing to full towering height again. He doesn’t hand over my stuff, but instead keeps them in his firm grasp.
My heart won’t stop galloping and I’m glad he has my stuff because with my sweaty palms, I’m bound to drop it all over again.
“Talk about what?”
It’s been three months. What could there possibly be to discuss?
“Everything.”
Gaping up at him, I struggle to find words.
“What’s different?” I ask, curious about his change of heart. “I thought you were done with me.”
“I have some things to get off my chest,” Andrew states watching me closely.
Dread fills me at his words. He’s here for closure. Nothing more. Another crack joins the fractured remnants of my heart.
“And for the record, I could never be done with you, Cupcake. Not even if I tried.”
Gulping, I run my slick palms over my skirt and look everywhere but at his eyes. I don’t like the hope blossoming in my heart so I try to squelch it before it gets out of hand.
“I’m sorry for everything,” I blurt, needing him to believe me.
My actions led to our demise and I need him to know I take full responsibility for that.
We continue the walk to my car in silence and I lean up against the passenger door for support.
“Look, I understand it was a fucked-up situation. You did what you thought was best for your company. I can’t be mad at that.” He shifts from one foot to another and then continues. “I just wish you had trusted me enough to confide in me. I can’t say that my reaction would have been positive, but you never even gave me that chance.”
Tears spring up out of nowhere and I feel my face crumple.
“I know,” I cry, covering my mouth with my hands. “I’m so, so sorry.”
Forty-five
ANDREW
Watching her break down in front of me constricts my chest and makes it hard to breathe.
I’ve missed her more than I’ve ever missed another human being. Each day got harder instead of easier. Nothing I did could get me out of my slump. My art didn’t provide the same escape. Nor did my pursuit of women — I had no interest in even looking at one.
There’s only one woman I want on my bucket list.
I accepted my fate. My body only wants Lilah. No substitute could ever compare.
Insanity was right around the corner before I finally got in my car determined to put an end to my misery.
What started as a drive to clear my mind led me to her. As soon as I saw her walking out of the front entrance, my heart skipped a beat and I knew what my brother told me all those months ago was true.
I love her.
I just hadn’t been ready to hear it yet. Especially in the wake of our blowout.
But now I’m confident that it’s the truth. Love is the only possible explanation for my dependency on her. Something deep inside of me needs her more than I need my next breath and it’s both terrifying and exhilarating.
“I didn’t come here to make you cry,” I say in a tight voice.
“Sorry,” Lilah voices shakily.
When I reach out to wipe her tears, she starts crying harder.
My scowl is instant. I don’t do well with crying women. Especially when it’s the one I love.
“You’re killing me here, Lilah. Why are you crying?” I ask, using my thumb to brush away the moisture gathered on her smooth cheeks.
“It kills me knowing that I hurt you, Andrew. You have to believe me. I never would—”
“Shh,” I place a finger against her lips and pull her into my arms.
The moment she’s tucked against my chest, peace settles over me and I feel like I’m home.
“We don’t have to rehash the past right now,” I tell her. “I’m here because I can’t get you out of my system. Nothing feels the same when you aren’t in my bed every night. Whatever differences we need to work out, so be it. You’re worth the effort because I love you and that isn’t changing any time soon.”
Lilah gasps at my revelation, pulling away from my chest to peer up at me with those beautiful eyes.
“You love me?”
Nodding, I run my fingers through the mass of hair brushing her shoulders.
“But I lied to you and broke your trust,” she points out. “I wouldn’t love me if I were you,” Lilah concludes and I see moisture gathering in her eyes again.
I bend down and press a kiss to her forehead. “Well, it’s a good thing you’re not me.”
The smile that transforms her face roots me to the spot. It’s like I’m seeing it for the first time. And maybe I am.
But she’s so damn beautiful it doesn’t make sense. Even teary-eyed and looking thin. She’s breathtaking and her presence alone has restored a part of me I never thought I would get back.
“Andrew… I love you, too.”
Stunned silent, I stare at her as if she just told me she was from a different planet.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she questions, folding her arms across her chest.
“I just didn’t expect you to say that’s all.”
Shaking her head, she sighs. “I guess that’s my fault. I never told you because I was scared of how it would end.”
It makes sense considering everything else she was
