Page 122 of Almost Love

The volume and tone of his voice made them both freeze and he dropped his head. He’d never sounded angry in all the time she’d known him. He’d never raised his voice and not once had he looked at her the way he was looking at her right then. It was frustration and fear and love and panic; it scared the shit out of her.

Finding her voice and as calmly as she could, Clementine said, “I guess it’s unclear what we are.”

“Clementine,” he growled her name, his green eyes settled on hers. “Don’t put words in my mouth.”

Every insecurity flared. Every feeling she’d ever had in the past, and for this man, was brought into question. In some distant part of her mind, she knew that this was silly. That they were arguing aboutwords. That she might have misheard what he said. What did register was his client saying ‘You sure it’s just about sex?’. Why would he say that if Oakley hadn’t said something along those lines first?

“Then tell me what I heard or…misheard.”

He pulled his gloves off and she took another step back, because if he touched her, she would cave. He tilted his head slightly at her reaction, sadness clear in his eyes.

“We’re in a relationship.”

“Okay.”

“I’m yours and you’re mine.”

“Okay,” she repeated, aware of how unsteady her voice sounded.

“Clem…” he sighed and looked away, drawing her attention to the tightness in his jaw. He looked pained and angry, but also really scared.

She was fucking scared too.

“Why aren’t you telling me what you said?” she asked, voice soft.

“Because you’re scared. And I don’t want to push you.”

“Maybe I’d have stayed.”

“Would you really have?”

She nodded, swallowing hard. “Yes.”

“I’ve seen you scared, sweetheart.”

“Oakley, you barely gave me a chance to te—”

“Tell me what, Clem?” he interrupted, eyes blazing as he took a step forward. “That you’re fuckingterrifiedof what it means to be with me?”

“Tell you that I’m in love with you, you moron.”

The words stopped him in his tracks and she clamped a hand over her mouth in response. He looked like he was about to speak and then decided against it, taking a small step back. Clementine whimpered, tears sliding down her cheeks. Oakley looked so startled, like he didn’t know what to do or say.

“Maybe I should have said something earlier. Told you that you’re it for me, that this hasn’t beenjust sexfor a long time.”

“Stop saying that,” he said, voice strained.

“Why not?”

Now he was crying, sliding off his glasses and rubbing his eyes. Whether or not she trusted his words was a different matter, but she needed to hear him say it.

“Because I’ve loved you from the first time I saw you. I have loved you through every kiss, every touch and every day I’ve known you,” he said, not meeting her eyes.

Her heart cracked at his words, because she’d loved him just as long. But that didn’t take away from the fact that to some stranger, he’d made it seem like it was ‘just sex’. One day, she would be ready for the whole truth, but right then, she was hurting and too sensitive to handle everything like an adult.

He finally looked at her and she swallowed back a quiet sob, shaking her head. “I’m sorry.”

“Melor…please,” he begged and she shook her head, taking a step back so she could climb into her truck. Refusing to look at him, she found her keys and started it up. With one quick glance at him, Clementine drove away. Until the tears started blurring her vision and she had to pull over to let herself cry.

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