Page 40 of Fix You

I shrugged. “Not all men love their wives.”

“Doesn’t your father?”

With a mirthless laugh, I replied, “Fuck no. But if you met my mother, you wouldn’t blame him.”

Maeve eyed me curiously. “I assume you’ll have an arranged marriage someday.”

With a grimace, I thought of Drea Caruso. If there ever was a time to come clean, it was now. But I didn’t. Instead, I replied, “I will.”

“You don’t think you’ll grow to love your wife?”

Her earnest expression made me feel like an unimaginable bastard. It was apparent that Maeve was a young woman who despite how she was raised saw hearts and butterflies when it came to love and marriage. I hated to crush her hope to the realities of arranged marriages.

I exhaled a ragged breath. “I’m sure I will care for her in some way.”

Her brows furrowed. “Care?”

With a frustrated grunt, I replied, “I’m sorry, Maeve. That’s just how I feel.”

She peered curiously at me. “What if you didn’t have an arranged marriage? Could you love a woman then?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Why not?”

“Because I never have.”

Her green eyes bulged in horror. “Never?”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you,dolcezza.” It was the truth. I wasn’t shooting her a line. I hated to be diminished in her eyes because of my past.

“You don’t owe me an apology. You are who you are.”

Reaching out, I cupped her cheek. “Disappointing you fills me with regret.”

Maeve shifted away from my touch. “From the way Callum looks at Caterina, I truly believe he will love her.”

I grunted. “I think you’re confusing lust with love.”

“I’m well aware of the difference,” she huffed.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you.”

“I realize that to you I appear like a sheltered and naive young woman who has no idea how the world truly works. I mean, I requested a kiss from you tonight to have an experience.” Her eyes narrowed on mine. “But I can assure you, I’ve seen the worst of it, and I still believe in love.

“If there’s anyone who deserves love, it’s you, Maeve.”

Furrowing her brows, she countered, “Doesn’t everyone?”

With a mirthless laugh, I replied, “Not some of the bastards and bitches I’ve met over the years.”

Her expression darkened. “I suppose you’re right.”

There was a question on the tip of my tongue that I wanted to ask her. At the same time, the jealous side of me didn’t. But finally, I jumped off the cliff and asked.

“Have you ever been in love?”

Chapter Seven: Maeve

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