I shook my head, face burning. The crickets and his breath were louder than my thoughts.
“That summer I visited Rivera with your aunt–you said lawyers in dramas looked cool and confident. Said that was your type.”
He brushed my earlobe, barely a touch. “So I figured… maybe if I became one, you’d like me too.”
His eyes dimmed for a second. “But when I got back from overseas, you were already with Peter.”
He nodded toward a wall of camellias in the yard.
“I had those planted when I came back to Hampsburg. Thought… if I ever had the chance, I’d want you to see them.”
Then he slipped his hand into mine, soft and sure. His eyes? Full–on tenderness.
Looking back, I kinda got choked up.
All that time, someone had been loving me in total silence.
He planted a whole wall of flowers without even knowing if he’d ever get a shot.
I gave his hand a squeeze. “Did you ever think… if I hadn’t divorced Peter, you
He shook his head, pressing his palm into mine “Never. From the second I fell for you, I didn’t expect a thing. If nothing ever changed, #wnld’ve stayed like that.”
ith words hit hard. My eyes stung
Let’s love wes‘ flashy it was steady, wild, and totally selfless.
fost deydi, ther was always a wave of camellias in my room.
Chapter &
I wasn’t even shocked Peter tracked me down in Hampsburg.
That day, Lionel picked me up from the hospital. He handed me flowers, brushed my hair back, then gave me a cup of milk tea.
But the second I took it, I felt this intense stare drilling into me.