Page 635 of The Tempted

I caught the sheen of fresh tears in her eyes before I diverted mine down to her hands and saw her curl her fingers. She fought to keep the stance we were both holding, itching to move them and lift them to her face.

“Keep your hands flat,” I whispered.

She blinked, and the tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.

“You okay?”

She nodded.

“It’s coming,” I teased, winking at her.

My sweet Lace, full of life and so much strength left behind those dark eyes.

“I love you Lacey,” I whispered the words and gave her my smile, inching my hands closer to hers.

“I’m sorry you’re hearing it like this and not some grand way. I’m sorry I let you think for one second I didn’t give a damn.”

“Stop,” she croaked.

I furrowed my brows and stilled my hands.

“Say it again.”

My lips quirked.

“I love you, girl. Only you. Forever you,” I swore.

She smiled at me, making me forget she would walk away and I would go back to my cell.

“I love you too,” she said through her tears. “I knew you loved me,” she whispered. “In my heart I knew I had your love and when my mind told me it was a lie I fought against it.”

“You keep fighting,” I interjected. “You hear me? You walk out of here today and you keep fighting that shit, never let that maker win,” I stressed.

“I’m guessing my dad told you?”

I nodded.

“He was vague. You want to clue me in?”

I watched her look down, spread her fingers a part and slowly slide them closer to the middle of the table before she let them be.

“I’ve known for a long time,” she admitted. “Every breakdown my father has had made it easy for me to diagnose myself.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You’ve got your own demons, Blackie. You don’t need mine,” she murmured.

“Yeah, babe, we both got demons we can’t stand, but you took mine and when I get out of here you’re going to give me yours,” I told her. “I don’t know when that will be so you’ve got to promise me you’re going to stay strong and do what you got to do to keep it quiet up there,” I said, motioning to her head with my chin.

“I’m in therapy,” she informed me. “And…,” she paused and took a deep breath, working through her confession. “I’m on lithium.”

“That’s good, Lace. Hey, look at me,” I said, waiting for eyes to reach mine. “It’s a good thing.”

“It is?” she laughed.

“Yeah, it means you’re not ignoring it and you’re not waiting for it to consume you. It takes a strong person to admit there’s something wrong and an even stronger person to follow through with treatment,” I said. “I’m proud of you, real proud, Lace.”

“So you don’t think I’m crazy?”

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