“He knew I couldn’t lose the shop, but even when I said I
wouldn’t take his money, he got me where he knew he could.
He told me that if I didn’t convince you to come home, and
that meant breaking it off and not seeing you again, they’d cut
you off completely. I know what it’s like to struggle, Em. I
know what it’s like to have nothing. To never be able to get
ahead. I don’t want that for you. I couldn’t be the one to take
that from you when you have everything. He said that you
wouldn’t be able to finish your degree. You wouldn’t have any
support from them. They’d cut you off completely. I know art
is your everything. It’s the one thing you’ve dreamed of.
You’re amazing at it. You were willing to get fake married for
it. I couldn’t do that to you. I do care about you. Everything
you said is true. I feel that way too, but sometimes that doesn’t
matter. I couldn’t say that I cared about you and then steal
everything from you that you’ve ever wanted.”
Emily released Dani’s hands, only to pull her into her arms.
She wrapped them tightly around her, nuzzling her head into
her shoulder, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her skin and hair.
She pressed tightly against her, until she could feel the heat of
her body, the beat of her heart. Until she could feel the wet of
her tears.
“I wish you had let me choose.” Emily stroked her hand
down Dani’s hair. “I am going to choose. You’re not taking
anything away from me. This is absurd. I’ll fix this.”
“There’s more,” Dani sobbed. “He offered to buy me a
building. He’s already bought it and put it in your name.
You’re my landlord. I signed the papers, Emily. I can’t go back
on it now.”
Emily was stunned, but she didn’t let Dani go. She kept her