“You did?” She tilted her head to the side.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“We didn’t leave things on the best terms. If it wasn’t for me, you never would’ve been bit in the first place.”
She ducked her head.
“You don’t know that. Don’t take that blame on you. I don’t feel that way.”
“You should. It’s been all I can think about since I left.”
“Is that why you haven’t been back?”
“No, you were just sleeping when I did, and after that I wanted to give your family a chance to sit with you. I’m nobody.”
“Don’t say that,” he whispered.
She held up her right hand. “It’s clear we still have much to learn about one another. Labels wouldn’t be intelligent.”
There was a coldness to her that hadn’t existed before. I did this.
“Lilac. Look, I was wrong to say the things I did. It was on me not you. Please give me a chance to make it up to you.”
“Let’s get you on the mend first—”
“No. I know how quickly things spiral downward if you don’t deal with them head on. We had a good thing going on and I screwed it up with my self-doubt and second guessing. I was smarting from Alexa’s rejection and Peter’s manipulation and I took it out on you. I want to finish out our month.”
“But you’re hurt.”
“And I need someone to help me when I can’t get around. We’ll stay in the cabin and give this thing between us a chance.”
“I don’t know, Thorn.”
“Lilac. I think it’ll be worth it.”
She sighed and he knew he had her. “Come on, if you don’t I’ll be stuck with my mom babying me. My reputation can’t take it. My macho ego will shrivel up and die.”
She giggled. “Okay, I’ll agree to one more week.” She held up her finger and gave a stern expression that made him think of a school teacher.
“One week,” he agreed.
“When do you get to leave?”
“Tomorrow. I’ll give you my card and you can buy some stuff to stock up the cabin.”
“I thought we were living off the grid.”
“We will be. Groceries won’t change the location or lack of creature comforts.”
“I can buy it with my own money—”
“No. Rule number one, if we’re together, you let me take care of you. I’m a bit of a traditionalist in that manner.”
“So I need to what … stay in the kitchen and serve you? ’Cause I’m not on board with that plan.”
“Darling, you’re free to do whatever makes you happy as long as you’re not paying my way.”
She smiled. “I’ll be back here tomorrow to pick you up. If we’re going to stay there for a week I’ll need a few more things.”