Page 52 of Slightly Married
“No,” he stated firmly, his eyes holding mine with an intense focus, making me feel like I was the only person in his world. “I’ve been staying at a hotel. I was being respectful of you both.”
The sincerity in his gaze made my heart stutter. “But you were in Italy together,” I countered, needing to understand, to make sense of what he was saying.
“The suite had two bedrooms,” he replied, his voice matter-of-fact. “Stella has always felt more like a sibling than a lover. After our night together, I thought proposing was the right thing to do.” His expression grew more solemn, the lines around his mouth deepening. “She is Theo’s sister, and I was his best friend. I believed it was what he would have wanted.”
I sat up abruptly, the silk sheets pooling around my waist as the reality of his words sank in. The sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable.
“When I saw her earlier,” he continued, “it was to end our engagement.”
“What?”
I couldn’t process his words. Relief flooded me so intensely my fingers trembled against the sheets. I hadn’t realized how much the thought of him with Stella had been weighing on me until it lifted.
“You actually ended things with her?”
He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “I couldn’t keep stringing her along when my priorities shifted.”
My mind raced through the implications. “How did she take the news?” I asked, thinking of Tia’s struggles with Santo’s ex. “Should I be worried?”
“She was upset,” he acknowledged, his thumb absently tracing circles on my ankle. “And she thinks I’ll change my mind.” His tone made it clear he wouldn’t. “I believe after some time she will realize ending the engagement was for the best. She’ll find someone who suits her better.”
I drew my knees up to my chest. “This is a lot. Did you tell her about us? About what’s been happening between us in Corfu?”
“I told her I couldn’t commit to her when my feelings had changed. But I didn’t share details about us. That’s between you and me.”
I tried to sort through the tornado of emotions swirling inside me. Relief, confusion, hope, and suspicion were all competing for dominance.
“Why end things with her now?”
“Because pretending became impossible.” His hand reached for mine, and I surprised myself by not pulling away. “Every day with you here made it clearer Stella and I were making a huge mistake. It would hurt us more if we went through with the marriage.”
My defenses instantly flared. “So I was your little experiment in authentic connection before you made your final decision?”
To create distance between us, I scooted back against the headboard. But he followed, capturing my legs.
“No, Michaila.” The way he said my name never failed to affect me. “You were the unexpected variable that changed the entire equation.”
“That’s a very CFO way of looking at relationships.”
“Fair enough.” He smiled. “Let me try again. Being with you made me realize I was settling for comfortable rather than genuine.”
“We hardly know each other.”
“Don’t we?” His eyes held mine. “I know you take your coffee with one sugar and just enough cream to turn it caramel-colored. I know you talk in your sleep. I know you’re fiercely loyal to your sister, and you pretend to be tougher than you are.”
I swallowed hard, unsettled by how closely he’d been paying attention. “That’s just surface stuff.”
“I know you’re afraid of trusting me because of your divorce.” His voice grew quieter. “And I know I want the chance to prove I’m different.”
“Words are easy, K.” I looked away.
“Not for me.” He turned my face back toward his. “But consider what I did. I ended my engagement and came back to you. I’m here, Kayla, choosing you.”
“I just don’t want to be stupid about this.”
“Trust me, I didn’t expect any of this either. You’ve completely disrupted my life.”
“I have a talent for that.”
