Page 67 of Dirty Secret Love

“No, we can’t just stay because you like River. I told you not to get attached to him, but like always you didn’t listen,” I scold lightly, continuing to tidy up while going through my mental checklist of things to do before moving.

Daisy lazily licks her paws, clearly not bothered by my words. I sigh and grab another stack of books to pack into a box. Talking to my little cat isn’t getting me anywhere, but it helps me to think through my options aloud.

There’s a knock at the door. When I open it, River pulls me into his arms and kisses me hard. I melt against him, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him back eagerly. God I’ve missed this, missed him. If only things could be different . . .

As we break apart, I’m breathless, my heart racing. Being near him feels like coming home. I wish with everything in me that we could stay like this, that I didn’t have to leave. But the tangled knot of emotions between me and my mother can’t be undone. As much as it hurts, I have to go.

“Meow,” Daisy is already weaving between his legs, rubbing against him affectionately. River bends down and scoops her up into his arms.

“She missed you,” I say with a soft smile.

“I missed my girls too,” he says, nuzzling Daisy as she purrs loudly.

I swallow hard, wanting to ask for my ring back or why he hasn’t been around the past few days, but I hold back. Even if these last days are painful, I want them to be happy.

“Do you have time to come with me?” he asks, setting Daisy down gently.

“Where are we going?” I ask curiously.

He pulls a folder out of the backpack I didn’t notice he was carrying and hands it to me. “I might’ve found the solution, but it’s up to you.”

“To what?” I ask, bewildered. “Up to me?”

“No one wants Ruth Asher in Heartwood Lake,” he states.

“You got signatures,” I joke, opening the folder, but gasp when I see it’s the deed to the Evergreen home in my name. “What is this?”

“Your new house,” he answers, handing me another folder. “This is a trust. From now on, they’ll have a monthly stipend. Of course, it’s all up to you. I was thinking we could pay them a visit and fix this.”

I can’t stop smiling, my heart fluttering wildly. He did all this just to make me stay. “Something tells me you don’t want me to leave,” I say playfully.

“Of course, I don’t want you to leave,” he says, taking the papers away from my hands and setting them on top of one of the closed boxes. He grabs my hands in his. “Remember what I was telling you before your mother abruptly interrupted us?”

I roll my eyes dramatically. “We were having sex.”

“Yes, but I also told you that I love you,” he says, gazing deep into my eyes. “I love you so much it’s hard thinking about living without you. This isn’t about just spending a few more days with you but wanting to surrender my heart to you.”

My breath catches at his declaration, but it also breaks my heart. “I’m leaving,” I say, almost choking on my own tears.

He tilts his head toward the papers. “Or you can stay and invite your mother to get the fuck out of town.”

Before I can respond, he drops down on one knee, the ring glittering in his palm.

“Sutton Fatima Asher. I know we haven’t been officially dating and our fake engagement wasn’t long, but I’ve fallen madly in love with you,” he says, gently sliding the ring onto my finger.

“I can’t give you a wedding, but I can promise you forever, hand you my heart and my soul. I just ask you to give me an eternity for I have so much love to give you. Please, let me be by your side while we dream together and find our happy ending.”

Staring at the ring, I wonder if this is worth it. Real love is terrifying and daunting, but when I look into his bright blue eyes, softened with devotion, all I know is that I want to spend the rest of my life getting to know him and loving him.

“Yes,” I whisper, pulling him up to me for a passionate kiss. No more running. My heart has found its home.

* * *

I walk upthe front steps to my parents’ house and ring the bell. After a moment, the door swings open and my mother appears. Her eyes narrow when she sees me standing there.

“We need to talk,” I say firmly, holding up the keys to the Evergreen house so they catch the light.

“I don’t have anything to say to you,” she replies bitterly, moving to shut the door.

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