“I explained the situation to Ean from Megan’s point of view.”
“You convinced Jack to reconcile with Audra.”
“I told Jack what his life would be like without her: crap.”
“You’re the one who convinced me to tell Doreen how I felt in the first place.” Alonzo leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His voice lowered to a barely audible murmur as he spoke to the faded gray carpet. “I guess Paul will always be the love of Doreen’s life. She’ll never let me into her heart.”
“You’re already in her heart. Everyone can see that.”
“Then why won’t she marry me?” Alonzo looked up, his eyes dark with pain.
“Because she’s afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Of letting go of who she was with Paul.” Darius frowned. “I thought you knew that. Isn’t that the reason you had that Day of the Dead ceremony?”
Alonzo shook his head. “I had the ceremony to show her I’m not asking her to forget Paul.”
Darius drew a deep breath. The Monitor’s office smelled like old newsprint and stale coffee, at least his cubicle did.
“This isn’t about Paul. It’s about Doreen. Put yourself in her place. She’s dating again.” Darius gestured toward Alonzo. “In a few weeks, she’ll be mayor of her hometown. She’s happy and excited. But there’s a part of her that’s afraid of all these changes.”
“I understand her life’s changing.” Alonzo shook his head. “I just want to be a part of her future.”
“But she doesn’t feel ready for her future.” Darius leaned back in his swivel chair and studied his friend. “You’re not going to like my recommendation.”
“What is it?”
“Don’t propose to Doreen again.”
Alonzo straightened on his chair. “You’re not making sense.”
“Doreen knows you want to marry her. Proposing again will just add to the pressure she’s already dealing with. You’ll know when she’s ready to discuss marriage.”
Alonzo stood, dragging a hand over his wavy, still-dark hair. He circled the visitor’s chair. “It sounds risky.”
“Doreen’s worth the risk.”
“Yes, she is.” Alonzo gripped the chair’s back.
“You’re not going to lose her.”
Alonzo stared at the ground for long silent moments. “All right. I’ll try it. Thanks for your time.”
“Good luck.” Darius stood and shook the sheriff’s hand.
“I’m going to need it.”
Darius watched Alonzo leave his cubicle. The sheriff had never married. He probably had never even proposed to anyone else because his heart always had belonged to Doreen. He’d loved her for more than half of his life.
Darius’s father stood in stark contrast to the romantic sheriff. In his entire life, Simon had never been able to commit to one woman. Even marriage hadn’t made his father monogamous. What made two men so very different?
And was Darius capable of making the commitment his father couldn’t?
CHAPTER 19
“Hey, Peyton.” The neighborly greeting sang out of the shadows that crept across Peyton’s apartment complex’s parking lot Tuesday evening.