I’ve listened to them all and I can feel his pain. I imagine him heartbroken and going to a stripper for sex. I can’t stand it.
I hear the key in the door, and I quickly wipe my eyes.
“Hey!” he calls happily. He walks around the corner, sees me, and his face falls. “What’s wrong?”
His silhouette blurs. “I’m so sorry, Nathe,” I whisper.
His brow furrows in confusion.
“Love is love.” I wince through my tears. “I should never have left.”
He stares at me for a moment.
“Can you forgive me?” I whisper.
He rushes to me and wraps me in his arms. “It was my fault. I should have told you.”
“No—”
“Ssh,” he cuts me off as he kisses my lips. The emotion between us is so strong that it tears my heart wide open.
“I’m moving back in, no more games,” I murmur as he kisses me. “I’ll never leave you again.”
We cling to each other, and he drops his head to my neck as he holds me tightly.
And it’s still there, the pain in his grip.
The person who he loves the most left him because he was different to anyone else she knew.
What kind of person does that?
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I whisper again and again as I hold him.
He pulls back to look at me, and he wipes my eyes as he smiles. “Stop, it’s over, and we’re never going back there. It’s time to move on from both of our issues.”
I smile up at him as I push the hair back from his forehead. “I love you, Nathe. More than anything, I love you. Tell me how to make this up to you.”
“I love you, too.” He holds me cheek to cheek and smiles. “There is one thing you can do,” he says softly.
“What’s that?”
His eyes meet mine, “Marry me.” His eyes twinkle with a certain something.
My heart stops.
“Are you serious?” I whisper.
“Too soon?” He closes his eyes, as if he’s filled with regret. “Oh, man, I was supposed to wait…”
“For what?”
“For me to plan something romantic and perfect that you would neve
r forget.” He kisses me softly. “But I can’t wait any longer.” He kisses me again. “I love you too much.”
Our kiss deepens and, oh, I couldn’t love this man any more than I do, and yet I know tomorrow, I will.
“What do you say, Lize?” He smiles softly. “Do you want to be my wife?”