Page 42 of Only Fate

I always answer, “Marrying someone who loves me,” whenever asked that question.

“I don’t know.” I turn my head to glance away from him, and even though I shouldn’t, I ask, “Do you have one?”

“I do.”

My curiosity takes over. “And?”

There’s a pause before he softly slips his hand under my chin, causing me to whimper. He caresses my cheek with his thumb and turns my head to meet his gaze. “One with a woman Idesperately care about and have feelings for. Onewith you.” He stops my attempt to look away from him.

“Don’t say things like that.” I should push him away. Ineedto push him away, yet for some reason, I can’t. That doesn’t mean I can’t hit him with the truth, though. “Especially when it’s bullshit.”

He doesn’t pull away, like I hoped. “It’s not bullshit.”

I take a deep breath and shut my eyes. Staring at him is agonizing, and what I’m about to say will hurt us both.

“We were friends.” I articulate each word slowly. “That’s it.” I casually shrug. “Then, we stopped being friends.”

He jerks his shoulder back, as if my statement had smacked him. “We were never just friends, and you know that.” His voice turns shaky. “Who was the first person I texted when I woke up in the morning? The first personyoutalked to?”

I tremble at his question and refuse to answer.

“I was, and you were mine. Who was the last person I talked to before going to sleep?” A laugh escapes his lips. “Hell, on the nights we actually slept and didn’t stay up all night talking to each other?”

I gasp at the reality of his words, my throat closing up like an allergic reaction.

“Y-O-U,” he spells out.

“Adrian,” I whisper.

We ignore the commotion and people passing us. Like Jax and Amelia, we’re fixated on each other.

“Who was the person I slept in my car for? The person who made me study harder because, half the time, I would daydream about a girl instead? It was you, Essie. It’s only ever been you.” He inches closer but maintains a safe distance, afraid to push me too far. “I’ve never given attention to anyone like that. Nor will I ever because whenever I try, it only reminds me of our connection and how nothing could ever come close to it. And, goddamn, I know you feel the same.” He drops my chin to lower his hand and rests it over my heart. “Don’t you remember? Thefights over who would hang up first? The nights we sat in my car, saying nothing but everything at the same time? I care about you and want to fix what broke between us.”

His words sting.

My heart batters against my chest at the memories. They were some of the best moments of my life, and as much as I’ve tried to push them out of my thoughts, sometimes, they still continue to linger there.

But his words also piss me off.

Why is he playing these games with me?

I shove him away. “Bullshit. If you felt that about me, what was that at the firm?”

He runs a hand through his hair. “I went to the firm because I knew you worked there. I had no idea they’d choose me for the promotion. So, when you quit, I quit.” His broad shoulders slump. “I just want to have a conversation with you, Essie.Please. Let me explain everything to you.”

“I needed your explanation years ago. Like I told you before, it’s too late now.”

He hangs his head and inhales a deep breath.

I push myself off the wall and move around him. “I need to go. I’m missing my friend’s engagement celebration.”

“Can we meet up later?” His voice drips with defeat.

“Of course.” I fake enthusiasm. “Absolutely.”

“You’re lying.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

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