Page 28 of My Ogre Husband
“I want to go home. Take me back to New Eden. Right now.”
The surprise on his face fades into devastation.
“Oh.” Egorr fumbles like he’s trying to find words. “If that’s really what you want…” He clenches one hand into a fist and stares down at the ground.
“It is.”
It’s not.I wanted him to choose me. I wanted to be right for him, but this is just Shisek all over again. I should go back to the preserve now, before Egorr realizes what a mistake he made taking me home with him.
This time, I want to be the one who says how it ends.
With a slow nod, Egorr turns around and starts walking back to the pub. I follow behind him, trying to stifle my angry tears. He opens the car door for me and I slide in, then grab the handle and slam it closed. Still silent, Egorr goes inside to pay our tab, and while he’s gone, I yank out my phone to call the resident director. I’m going to tell her I’m on my way back, that things haven’t worked out.
But before I can hit “dial,” the driver’s side door opens again and Egorr gets in. He doesn’t start the car, though. He just sits there, looking out the windshield, his lower lip trembling.
“What happened in there?” he asks, keeping his eyes fixed on the road, blinking rapidly. “What did I do?”
“It’s a matter of what youdidn’tdo!” I can’t believe he doesn’t see it. “You just let that ogre lady fawn all over you. You could have told her off, you could have sat down with me and eaten dinner together, butno. You had to finish the stupid game. You had to keep talking to her when I was right there waiting for you!”
I’m panting by the time I’m finished, so full of hurt and anger and rejection that I’m shaking. Egorr turns to me, and it’s as if some great realization has dawned on him.
“I’m sorry,” he says. His eyes are red. “I’m so sorry, Maddie. You’re right. I should have said ‘no.’ I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“It’s fine,” I grind out. “I understand. We’re not a good fit.”
In more ways than one.
“I…” Egorr suddenly hits the steering wheel with his fists. “I have to take you back if you say that’s what you want. Those are the rules.” I realize now, from the cracking in his voice, that he’s crying, too. “But I would hate doing it. I want to go home with you. Back toourhome. I want to…” He sniffles, interrupting himself. “There are so many more things I wanted to do with you.”
Something about seeing this giant ogre cry makes me break inside. My anger morphs into sadness and regret.
“Why?” I ask, sniffling. “Why did you let her flirt with you like that? Why didn’t you stand up for me?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t want to be rude to another ogre. I… I didn’t realize I was hurting you.” Egorr reaches out like he wants to touch me but stops himself. “I’m sorry. I should have put spending time with you first.”
“Yeah.” I cross my arms over my chest. “You should have.”
“Please don’t go back to New Eden.” This time, Egorr does take my hand in his, and I let him because as upset as I am, I still crave his touch. “Give me another shot, Maddie. I promise I won’t mess it up again.”
I see how his cheeks are still wet with tears and sigh. He really is clueless. Not malicious, just clueless, and too nice for his own good.
And maybe that’s one of the things I like about him.
“Okay,” I say eventually, rubbing my eyes, which are now dry and sandy from crying. “Let’s go back to your house.”
With a relieved nod, Egorr puts the car in drive.
ChapterTen
When we arrive back at the cute little door in the hillside, neither of us speaks. Egorr opens it for me, and though the fire has died inside, it’s still lovely and warm. I just need to be alone for a while to sort through what happened, so I head to my room and shut myself in.
I think about calling Celeste for some comfort, but I don’t want to have to tell her all the sordid details. Maybe I did overreact, and I don’t want her to judge me. Besides, Egorr apologized. That’s good enough, right?
I lie back on the bed, trying to sort through the conflicting feelings roiling inside me. My wounds from Shisek are still too fresh not to take it personally. I can’t bear the idea of being rejected again. I need to feel like I’m enough.
When I finally walk into the living room, Egorr’s in the kitchen. I smell something absolutely lovely.
“What’s that?” I ask, and he spins around, surprised by the sound of my voice. He smiles bigger than I’ve ever seen him smile, like he can’t believe I’m still here.
