Page 48 of Someone Like You

“That’s what you tell me.”

“I wouldn’t lie to you.”

She sighed. “I’m not ready anyway,” Giselle responded and pulled back.

“What do you mean you’re not ready?”

She started to get up, but I grabbed her wrist and tugged her back down onto my lap. Rubbing the back of her neck, I commanded, “Tell me.”

“There’s nothing left to tell.”

“It’s been five years, Giselle. It’s okay to love again.”

“No. I’m just not ready.”

I leaned forward again, and I asked, “Do you remember when I asked who was there for you? Who gave you a shoulder to lean on? Let me be that for you, Giselle.”

“No. It’s wrong, Casimir. You are . . . were my patient. And you’re still living with your ex-wife. I can’t come between that.”

“You’re not,” I admitted gruffly. “I can move out. Do you remember when I told you that Beth’s father didn’t want us to get a divorce, but he didn’t want her to drag it out in court?”

Giselle nodded.

“That was because he knew if Beth dragged it out in court, it would become a distraction and fodder for his opponents to use against him. He only asked for one thing from me. And that was for me to remain in the house until the campaign was finished. I agreed.”

“But where will you go?”

“I can get another place.”

“But you have this place here.”

“You want me to stay here with you?” I asked, smirking.

She sighed. “That’s not what I’m saying. I feel like this is my fault, though.”

“Why? Because she blamed you?” I asked as she climbed off me with her back to me.

Giselle turned around and faced me. The fire that sparked from her eyes was hot enough to singe me.

“No, because I caught feelings for you long before you and Bethany decided to give up on the marriage and divorce her. I had feelings for you before she decided that counseling wasn’t working,” Giselle confessed softly.

My heart flickered to life for the first time. It was a small fire, but it was there, burning brightly with hope, possibilities, and love. And as scared as I was to ask my next question for fear her answer might douse that flame, I had to ask it anyway.

I stood. “Then what’s keeping us apart now?”

“My license, Casimir. If anyone finds out, I could lose my license! I cannot do that. I worked too hard to get to where I am.”

“No one has to know.”

“So, I’ll just be what? Your secret lover?”

“No! That’s not what I meant, Giselle.”

“But that’s exactly what I would become, Casimir. I think you should leave,” Giselle announced.

“Why?”

“Because I need some space from you. I’m overwhelmed by your presence. I know that I’m not thinking clearly right now because I want to let you in, and I know that if I do, I can never get you out. I’m thinking with my heart and not my mind. Truth is, we’re no good for each other. Please, just leave.”

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