Page 36 of Rex's Honor
She wanted to lay into him about how no one knew Rex anymore and remind him of the pain Rex had left in his wake twelve years ago. “He needs time to be with you and his mom. He doesn’t need me.”
“What about Louisa?” Judy asked with a furrowed brow. “She would be so sad if you left.”
“I’ll be back to visit, but I’m going to move back into my apartment.”
The room filled with a deafening silence. When Rex had left the last time, he’d given her an ultimatum. He told her if she didn’t go with him, he would never return for her, ever.
He left the next day.
Maybe he’d be back for his mom, but if he wanted her here, he would have woken her up and told her, left a note, or at worst, sent her a text.
“I’m going to go visit with Louisa, and then I’m going to pack my things.” She straightened her spine and sucked in her pride.
Maybe getting over him would be easier the second time.
Rex tossed his suitcase in the back of Arthur’s Jeep. “Thanks for picking me up.”
“No problem. Nice jet.”
“I prefer flying coach.”
“I doubt that.” Arthur pulled out of the airport, heading toward the marina. “How’s your mom?”
“Not well at all.”
“So, why are you here instead of being with her?”
“I need to get the ring,” he said, tripping on the last word. He’d woken up around three in the morning with Tilly in his arms, her hair pooled over his chest, the golden locks glistening in the moonlight. His heart had been beating out of control, and all he could think about was spending the rest of his life trying to make up for the past and giving her everything she wanted and needed.
“What ring?”
“My mother’s ring.” Rex rubbed his shaky hand over his thigh.
“I’m sorry, I don’t follow.”
Rex stared out the window at the Intracoastal Waterway. He’d give up his boat and the Aegis Network be with Tilly. He could be a firefighter anywhere, and he wanted to be where she was. “My mother, in an attempt to get me to come home yearsago, sent me her engagement ring and told me how crushed Tilly had been when I left.”
“So, your mom wants the ring?”
“No. It’s not for my mom. It’s for Tilly.” The bubble of fear he’d been feeling blossomed into a blooming flower.
“Why? Does your mom want her to have it?”
“For a married man, you’re really fucking clueless.”
Arthur turned into the marina parking lot, glancing in his direction.
He smiled. “I’m going to ask Tilly to marry me.”
Arthur let up on the clutch while still in gear, lurching the car forward. “Well, why are you sitting here? Get your ass in gear, and I’ll drive you back to the airport.”
Rex didn’t waste any time, snagging his suitcase and racing down the dock like a lunatic. He didn’t know when he’d come back, so he needed to pack more clothes. He’d been given time off for as long as he needed. Tears welled in his eyes. His mother wouldn’t last long. Maybe a week, but hopefully she’d get to see her ring on Tilly’s finger.
Once on the boat, he went straight to the safe. The hole in his heart slowly mended, but a prickle of fear that she'd say no troubled him deeply. He also had to make it clear that this wasn’t for his mother, and even though he was rushing it, he knew without a doubt that he loved Tilly and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
There was no other woman for him. He’d tried relationships in the past, but they weren’t Tilly.
He pulled out the pouch. He didn’t even want to look at it until he could ask Tilly. He stuffed it in his front pocket. As quickly as he could, he packed his larger suitcase and made a beeline to Arthur’s car.
