Page 98 of More than Paper

“You didn’t do anything wrong. This is all on me.”

She bites her lip.

I cup her face. “We can still have a great life together. Move to New York.”

“I can’t.”

“You can.”

“Stop pressuring me,” she cries out.

I sigh. “You just said you forgive me. Nothing has changed.”

“Stop saying that. You’re married.”

“You know the circumstances.”

“Yes, Jamison. I know the details. It doesn’t change facts.”

“What we have is worth more than paper.”

“It’s not just a piece of paper.”

“It is to me.”

“Well it isn’t to me.”

I’m confused. “Does this mean you’re never moving to New York?”

She sighs and quietly says, “No. I’m not saying that.”

“Then what are you saying, Quinn?”

“I need to get past it before I can move.”

Okay. At least she isn’t telling me there’s no possibility.

I brush my lips against hers in a quick kiss. “What can I do to help you move past it? How can I show you that it doesn’t affect our relationship?”

“I don’t know. Give me time.”

“How much time?”

“Jamison, I don’t know. My entire family hates me right now.” Another tear falls.

My gut flips. I’m sick over Quinn being at odds with her mother and brother over us. “They don’t hate you. They are upset about me. I’m sorry I’ve caused trouble between you and your family.”

“This isn’t easy for me. I love you, but I love my family. I have to figure out how to deal with all this.”

I let out some air. “I know it isn’t easy for you, and I’m sorry. I’ll back off. Just don’t give up on us.”

She strokes the side of my head. “I’m not. But I need time.”

“Okay. I’ll give you time.”

“Can we go back to having fun tonight? I need a break from all this.”

“Yeah, doll. Let me take care of you all night.”

---