Tease (Cloverleigh Farms, #8)

by Melanie Harlow

“Those are the options? Something or nothing?” “Yes.” She nodded slowly. “Then I guess it’s nothing.” “Felicity, come on. We’ve talked about this.” I shifted my weight from foot to foot. “I’ve never been dishonest with you about what I can offer.” “I know.” Her voice broke. “And I’ll be honest with you now, and say that what you have to offer isn’t enough for me. I’m sorry.” “We agreed,” I said testily. “We agreed that it’s foolish to jump into the deep end of the pool when you can’t swim.” “I didn’t jump, Hutton.” Her shoulders rose. “I fell.” Her words stabbed me in the heart, but I was a pro at masking what I felt inside. “You’re asking for something I can’t give.” “I’m not asking for anything.” She wiped her eyes beneath her glasses. “You know, I’ve spent years being terrified of this very situation. Years of being careful with my heart so I wouldn’t ever be rejected.” “Felicity. Stop.” I couldn’t take her tears—or the fact that I’d caused them. “I thought I was so smart,” she said. “But here I am anyway. And even though I won’t ask for what I want, I won’t settle for less than I deserve.” What the hell was I supposed to say to that? I didn’t want her to settle for less than she deserved either, but I couldn’t deliver it. She was insisting on all or nothing, and my all would never be enough.