Page 53 of Galen's Redemption
“Who hurt you?”
Galen stiffened. “What?”
“You know I hurt and you’re trying to makeit better, but it’s not just empty words for you. There’s something there that tells me you know from experience.”
He was quiet for a moment, but Robert couldn’t fail to notice Galen’s hands tighten on his legs.
“You don’t have to tell me. I’m sorry I brought it up.”
Galen looked up, and for a moment, Robert swore he saw hope. “There’s nothing to say.”
Robert turned and leaned in to kiss Galenlightly on the lips. “So you know, if there’s something, you don’t ever have to tell me. Your secrets are always yours. If you decide to share them, then I swear to you I’ll hold them to my heart and never tell another living soul. Okay?”
A terse nod. “But there aren’t any secrets.”
“Okay.”
And that was it. If Galen wanted to share, Robert would listen. If he didn’t, that was his choice. UnlikeGalen’s father, Robert wouldn’t demand anything. He would just accept having Galen in his life.
It struck Robert then that he wanted to keep Galen. He would do what he could to ensure their happiness. True, they hadn’t known each other long, and as Robert said, he didn’t do casual. But he wanted the chance to woo Galen. To give them a chance to know each other, see if they could mesh. It wasthe first selfish thing Robert had wanted in way too long.
“Galen? Could you take me home?”
