Page 117 of Surprisingly Us

I search his face. The chiseled edge of his jaw, the sharp points of his cheekbones. Still hidden behind sunglasses, his eyes are unreadable.

I reach over to remove them. Beneath his shades, there are dark circles under his eyes I hadn’t noticed before.

“I fucked up. I’m sorry I ambushed you with the proposal. I shouldn’t have let Jerrod goad me into it. I should have talked to you.”

“Trust is important to me. Maybe it’s rooted in me as a dancer. I put trust in those around me. Last night, during our performance, my face was inches from the floor after dropping from Sebastian’s shoulders. I didn’t even flinch because I knew he would catch me. I trusted him to do that.” My eyes dampen as unexpected emotion creeps up on me. “I trusted you. I thought we were friends.”

“We are, Lettie,” he insists. “I fucked up. I didn’t think it through. Jerrod proposed to Corinne and then the article with their engagement announcement made me feel like my parents’ foundation was slipping out of my grasp. There still have been comments about our relationship and whether it’s real, and I thought an engagement would make it more believable. I had planned to talk to you about it, but then Jerrod and Aditi saw the ring, and I panicked.”

He swallows thickly. “And I was afraid you’d say no. I took the risk and hoped for the best. I shouldn’t have and I’m sorry.”

I can see he’s sincere.

“If you would have trusted me with the truth and talked to me, I would have said yes. I would have planned it all with you.”

I’m surprised by how passionate my words come out.

Rhys must be, too. His eyes widen in disbelief. His jaw goes slack.

“I didn’t know if you’d understand. If you’d take that leap with me. I’m sorry.”

His fingers slide along my palm before interlacing with my own.

“I let this competition with Jerrod fuck with my head and I wasn’t thinking. Again, I should have talked to you.”

“Yeah, you should have.” I squeeze his hand. “I need to be able to trust you, Rhys. Fake or not, relationships don’t work without trust.”

“You can. I’ll prove it to you.”

I nod, pressing my lips together.

“And I’m sorry for making the Leg-Up fundraiser about the proposal. You worked really hard making last night special and I hate that I messed everything up for you.”

“The fundraiser was actually a success, but I appreciate your apology.”

We’re quiet for a few minutes. I’m not sure what we’re practicing now. Being awkwardly silent when a relationship goes off the rails?

Finally, I speak. “I’ve got the children’s hospital ‘Dream with a Dancer’ event today.”

He studies me a moment, then looks away before settling his gaze back on mine.

“Can I come with you?” he asks.

My brows lift, shocked that Rhys would want to come with me to the event. Then again, he did make all those tutus and he does need to do damage control. A children’s hospital event would be perfect for an image boost and to make amends with me.

I know he’s got ulterior motives, but I’m also curious to see how he’ll do.

“Yeah, okay, but I need to stop by my apartment to change first.”

While Rhys directs the driver to my apartment, I lean back into the leather seat. I’ve forgiven Rhys, and agreed to moveforward with this new arrangement, but I’ll need to be vigilant about guarding my heart.

CHAPTER 34

Rhys

After a quick stop at Lettie’s apartment so she could change, we’re on our way to the children’s hospital.

“The tutus we made were delivered to the hospital earlier this week. When we arrive, we’ll meet with the program director so she can introduce us to the nurses on the floor we’ll be visiting.”

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