If you can forgive me.
The real meaning brimmed between us.
Could we really move past what happened this easily and quickly? He seemed sincere, but…
I never willingly chose her.
I did what I had to do.
This is just business.
I plummeted back to earth.
I loved Dante. I’d known since Paris, and there was no point pretending my feelings had magically changed overnight despite what happened.
I loved the way his smiles peeked through his scowls.
I loved how he kissed my shoulder every morning when I woke up.
I missed his humor and intelligence, his strength and vulnerability, his thoughtfulness and ambition.
But just because I loved him didn’t mean I trusted himormyself.
We can make it work. That is…if you want to.
The week’s emotional rollercoaster had taken its toll on me, and I had no clue what I wanted. I hadn’t even worked out how I felt about my father’s company’s troubles. Obviously, Dante had a hand in it. But how upset was Ireallywhen a tiny, secret part of me blamed Lau Jewels for what my family had become?
“Go on a date with me,” he said when I didn’t answer. “We’ll do anything you want. Even eat popcorn.”
I didn’t smile at his joke. Another flicker of nerves surfaced in his eyes.
“We’ve been on dates before.”
“That was before. This is now.” His face softened. “Just one date. Please.”
My heart wrenched, but I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Frustration and a splash of panic tightened his features. “Why not?”
“There’re a thousand different reasons. You hate my family. You never wanted to get married, and you never wantedme.You were forced into it, and if we get together again, my father still wins. And…” Dryness coated my throat. “We’re not good together, Dante. Our relationship was so hot and cold, but we made it work because wehadto make it work. Now that we don’t…” I searched for the right way to phrase my thoughts. “Things have been difficult since day one. Maybe it’s a sign.”
The last part came out quietly, like a pin dropping into the ocean.
Our relationship had been tainted from the start. Even if I loved him, I couldn’t see how we could overcome the mistakes of our past.
My heart twisted again, this time with pain so sharp I wasn’t sure how I’d survive it.
But I would. I had to.
“That’s six reasons,” Dante said. “I can work with six. I can even work with a thousand.”
My chest ached. “Dante…”
“You don’t think we’re a good idea, but I’ll prove we are.” Determination lined his jaw, but his voice and lips were soft as they brushed my forehead. “Give me time,mia cara. That’s all I need, besides you.”
CHAPTER38
Vivian & Dante