Page 92 of Be My Wife

I bark out a laugh instead. “Are you crazy?”

“It’s not the worse thing in the world to fall in love with your wife.”

“You’re a damn comic.”

“I’m being serious.”

“You know my ability to love got burned to a crisp along with everything else in that fire.”

Lucas’s lips tighten.

“I don’t love her. I can’t.”

“Why not?”

I blink in astonishment. “What kind of question is that, Lucas?”

“Tell me.”

“You know why. Lana married me for my grandmother’s money. She was miserable living with me and cheated every chance she could get. I came home to her every evening, thinking I was living the dream, not knowing there was some other guy’s scent drying on my bed sheets. Why the hell would I sign myself up for that nightmare again?”

“Take it from me, Brogan. Love doesn’t always make sense. Sometimes, it strikes without you realizing.”

“You sound like an idiot.”

“So do you.” He arches both eyebrows. “It’s as plain as day, bro. You’re so far gone that it’s painful to watch.”

I scoff. “I barely know the woman.”

“So?”

“We met less than a week ago.”

“I fell in love with Ina that first night.”

“That’s different.”

Lucas shakes his head. “Why can’t you let yourself love her?”

“I’m telling you. You’re so off base you’re hitting Jupiter.” I resume my pacing.

“Brogan, what happened with Lana wasn’t your fault. You can’t keep punishing yourself—”

I slant him a blistering stare. “I’m not punishing myself. I’m embracing the truth. I’m walking with my eyes blasted open for the first time in my life. I don’t need anybody. Keeping Steph alive is all that matters. I don’t give a damn about anything else. And what? Love?” I snarl. “Love is nothing but a waste of time. It’s a big fat lie people tell themselves to feel less lonely. It’s a trap women set to get what they want. Love? It’s the biggest scam.”

“You don’t believe that.”

I turn and take giant steps to the door as irritation flares in me. “It was a mistake to come here. Forget I said anything.”

“Brogan.”

My hands freeze as they flatten over the doorknob.

“You’re right. You don’t care. Not unless you have to. You’ve closed yourself off so that nothing else matters and nothing can get to you. So ask yourself… why is Elizabeth rubbing you the wrong way? Why do you care if she’s stubborn or if she wants to meet Steph? Answer that for yourself and you’ll see that I’m not so far off.”

I grit my teeth.

Wrench the door open.

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