We are once again outside in the pouring rain.
“Marry her,” Phoenix says.
“What?” I ask.
“Ask Liesel to marry you. You love her or, at the very least, want her. You don’t want me. I’ve done a lot of selfish things in my life. I’ve stolen you from her and demanded you be mine for years when I have no right. You two belong together. Only the two of you are going to be able to do the tasks required to get the treasure. This is the only way this will work.”
I frown. “What about you?”
“I love you. And if I love you, I have to let you go. All I ever wanted to be was a mother, and you gave me that. So I think it’s time I return to the thing I love the most—my children.”
My heart thumps so loudly in my chest that it blocks out the roar of the thunder.
“You’re wrong,” I say.
Phoenix looks up at me, even though the rain is pelting down, stinging her cheeks.
“I don’t love Liesel. I love you. I’m just not in love with you, Dunn.”
“I know.” She gives me a weak smile. “But that doesn’t change that she’s the one you want to marry, not me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Loving you was one of the best parts of my life.”
“I’ll love you forever, Dunn.”
And then my lips consume hers. It’s a kiss that tells her how much I love her. How much I appreciate her. How fucking incredible she is—the most unselfish person I’ve ever met.
For me, I hope it’s a goodbye kiss, but it’s also a moment for her to change her mind. If she says she can’t give me up yet, that she wants to stay and marry me, then I will. Not because I’m selfless, but because this woman deserves the best man. I’m not the best—but I can give her my best for as long as she wants.
She pushes my chest hard, breaking the kiss.
Her eyes sear into mine—knowing that was a test to see if she can really give me up. The fire in her eyes tells me she can; she already did.
“Go get the girl you love,” she whispers.
“I don’t love her.”
She shakes her head. “Sure, you don’t. You can fight it all you want, Langston, but it doesn’t make it not true. Stop lying to yourself.”
I nod, but I can’t, because the only sin I refuse to commit is loving Liesel. Loving her will destroy us both.
15
Liesel
“Wait!” Phoenix shouts.
Jesus, if this wedding gets interrupted one more time, I’m not sure I have the guts to go through with it.
Phoenix rushes up and stands between Maxwell and me.
She takes my hands in hers and then whispers, “He’s yours. He always has been. I thought I could make him love me, but I was wrong. I won’t step in the middle of the two of you again. Being between the two of you doesn’t help me; it just means I’ll end up getting burned from the inferno you two are bound to create.”
“Are you sure?” Liesel asks.
“More than anything. I was a selfish bitch before.”