Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 92368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
It sounds like everything I used to want. And that’s why I say, “I can’t move in with you.”
“Why not?”
“Because…” I’m faltering for a reason as to why not, so I state the obvious, “We’re not together.”
“Babe, we’re together, even when we’re not.”
I open my mouth to argue, but nothing comes out because he’s right. Even when I wasn’t with him, when I was hating him, I was still his because I could never truly let him go. And it was the same for him.
“We have history, Dove. But we have a future together, too. And our future is in this house.” His hands slide up my arms to cradle my face. “The moment I saw this place, I saw us. Do you remember how we used to talk about one day having a house near the water with a wraparound porch, filling it with our kids once we were done with our life in the city? You would dance, and I would fight. Then, when it was time, we’d both step away, move to a place just like this, and start a family. You’d open up a dance school, and I’d maybe open up a boxing gym.” His thumb sweeps over my cheek. “I know it didn’t go the way we’d planned. I know that was because of me. But we can still have it. Still have the life we talked about together, starting now.”
“You’d give up boxing?”
He holds my eyes. “After the Dimitrov fight. Once I bank that money, I’m done.”
I exhale. “Zeus, I don’t want you to stop boxing. I don’t want you to give your career up because you think that’s what I want.”
“I want to be here with you and Gigi, and…I don’t feel the same about it like I used to. Before, I used to love the thrill of the fight. Of course, the money mattered. But, now…that’s all it’s about.”
“But the problem between you and me isn’t the boxing, Zeus.”
“You think I don’t know that? You don’t trust me to stay. You think I’m going to walk out on you again and never come back.”
My eyes lower. He forces them back up.
“I can’t prove it to you unless you give me the chance to.”
He’s right. I know he’s right.
But fear is a cruel thing. It strangles you. Cripples you. Stops you from saying the words you wish you could say.
He must see my internal struggle because he slips his hands from my face. Running one down my arm, he takes hold of my hand.
“Let me show you around.”
I go with him, and he first takes me to the living room that has a gorgeous antique fireplace, but the decor is dated, as is the kitchen. Zeus tells me that he got the house for a good price for those reasons. That it won’t cost a lot to update it.
As he gives me the tour, I can see the three of us living here. And that thought terrifies me.
“There are four bedrooms,” he tells me as we reach the upstairs. “Gigi will have her pick from three. I think she’ll love the bedroom at the front, as it overlooks the lake, but this”—he leads me toward an open door—“is the master. It has its own bathroom and balcony.”
I step into the room. It’s big and airy. The wallpaper on the walls is faded and peeling. But it’s still amazing.
Wordlessly, I walk over to the doors leading out onto the balcony.
I turn the key in the lock, open them, and step outside.
The view is stunning. It overlooks the back garden and woodland behind the home. It’s private and secluded. A piece of heaven.
I feel Zeus come up behind me.
“What do you think?” he says softly, his breath whispering down my neck.
“I think it’s perfect, but—”
“Don’t.” His hands on my shoulders, he turns me to face him. “Don’t say what you think you should say, what your hurt and anger are telling you to say. Tell me what’s in your heart.”
You. Always you.
I blow out a shaky breath, tears pricking at my eyes.
“Do you still love me?” he asks gently.
I can see the fear in his eyes. Fear that I’ll tell him no, turn him away again. That’s what makes me finally tell him the truth.
“Yes,” I whisper.
“Then, we can make this work.”
“But—”
“No buts, Dove. I love you. And you love me. We’ll make this work.”
I close my eyes, trying to gather my thoughts. “But Gigi…I can’t risk…” I open my eyes to look at him. “I don’t want her to get attached to the idea of us in case it doesn’t work out.”
“So, we keep it between you and me for now. We won’t tell Gigi that we’re together until you feel ready.”
“And what about this house?”
“It’s not going anywhere. I can work on getting it ready for us. And, when you’re ready to move in, you and Gigi, I’ll be here, waiting.”