Page 92 of Accidental Husband

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And that shame sinks deeper into my bones.

I know you didn't mean for that to happen. I know you were only trying to help. You did… until you didn't.

That's why I started dating Jackson. Because he didn't know. Because he didn't expect anything of me. Because he didn't care when he saw my scars. He believed my excuses. And never pried deeper.

I wanted it to be you.

Deep down, I wanted it to be you.

I didn't realize it then. Didn't put two and two together to make four. But it's obvious now. Even in my drunken haze. Or maybe because of my drunken haze.

I tried to stop so many times, but I couldn't.

And that's why I couldn't have you.

That's why I can't have you. Because once I tell you, the magic fades, and we go back to normal.

I can't lose that magic. Not yet.

"You sure you're okay?" He leads me into the casino.

I nod. "Just, um, thirsty."

"You want water or a drink?"

"Water."

He nodssure, heads to the bar on our right, buys two bottles of water.

The moment with my thoughts is too much. I try to divert my attention away from my head. To my surroundings.

The casino glows with yellow light and flashing slot machines. There's no music, certainly nothing as awesome as Paramore, certainly nothing as sexy as Griffin's groan—

Uh, what am I talking about again?

Right. The casino. It's buzzing with laughter, conversation, clinking drinks, and thebeep-boopof slot machines.

Griff returns. Hands a water bottle to me.

I push my thoughts to dirty places. "We're here because of the phallic implications of the tower?"

He nodshell yeah.

"Does that mean we're heading to the top?"

"Something you'd rather do?"

No. Nothing. But then I don't care what I do so long as I can do him. Fuck, that's cheesy. But it's true.

Tonight is ours. For laughing, kissing, touching, fucking.

Reality crashes into us tomorrow.

I tell him tomorrow.

I face the consequences tomorrow.

Right now—

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