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I had the urge to reach out, to round the desk, and pull her into my arms the way I had countless times before. To comfort her. Except I couldn’t do that because I was the one causing her pain.
Some wounds were too deep. Some history too painful. You could forgive, but you’d never forget.
“These scars don’t make me ugly, Ford. They tell the world I’m a survivor.”
“I missed that.” “Missed what?” My mouth curved into the barest smile. “You calling me ‘Trouble.’”
I’d loved him forever, and the price I’d have to pay now was the guilt. Guilt and knowing I’d never have the one thing my heart wanted above all others. Him.
“Maybe you’ve just been missing the things that give life heart. It’s not always the big, glamorous accomplishments. Sometimes, it’s the everyday things that have meaning.”
“Just because it’s hard, doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. Sometimes, the greater the difficulty, the sweeter the reward.”
“I’m trusting you with the most important thing of all.” “What’s that?” “My stomach.”
“I told you to trust me.” I met Bell’s gaze. “I do trust you.” Her breath seemed to stutter in her chest. “Good.”
But that was the thing about life. So often, we didn’t realize that the rarest and most beautiful gifts were already in our possession. Sometimes, we didn’t discover that truth before it was too late.
“I would’ve gotten that for you.” Bell pressed her lips together as if holding in a laugh. “You look like someone ate your last Kit Kat. I’m all grown now, Cupcake. I can open my own doors.” I scowled in her direction, and the laugh she’d been holding back escaped. “Maybe I wanted to be a gentleman.” “Forgive me. I promise not to open any doors for the rest of the night. And if I drop anything, I’ll make you pick it up.”
I’d get hit with a memory of the two of us, the reckless kind, the kind that lit a fire in me to call her, to see her. Those reckless memories would almost bring me to my knees.
“Bell, you’re staying with me tonight.” The sharp crack in Ford’s words had me spinning around. “I was already planning on it.” My eyes narrowed. “But you bark an order like that at me again, and I’ll conveniently forget where I put your pain pills.”
“I remember you bedazzled your shirt with my number on it.” That gorgeous pink flooded Bell’s cheeks. “I was such a nerd.” My gaze caught hers. “I loved it.”
“You kinda like me, Trouble,” Ford called in a singsong voice as he poured a row of shots. “Not for long,” I muttered. “Watching you two is better than a soap opera.”
“You’re adorable, Trouble.” I grinned, even if it was a little wobbly. “You’re pretty adorable, too, Cupcake.” Ford gave me a mock scowl. “She calls me Cupcake after I fucked her so hard she almost passed out.”
“They’re businesses, Bell. You…you’re everything to me.”
