Hating You, Loving You (Inked Hearts 4)

He cups my breast with his palm.

"They're fake."

His brow furrows.

"It's obvious if I take my bra off."

He stares at me like I'm crazy. "You're not the type."

I know.

Epiphany fills his expression.

He understands.

I say it anyways. "I had a double mastectomy."

"You had breast cancer?"

I nod.

"When?"

"Two years ago. That was when it started. It's been a year since I finished treatment. I guess… I guess this is my anniversary."

"That story about your mom?"

"That was true. Just… also true about me."

"Are you okay?"

"Probably. But there's a chance." I swallow hard. "It happens. Even with the preventative treatment."

"Fuck." Something fills his eyes but it's not fear, or pity, or need.

It's sympathy.

"Do me a favor, sunshine. Fill the glass and hand me the bottle."

It takes a bit of maneuvering to do it without climbing out of his lap, but I manage.

He wraps his hands around the bottle.

I hold up the glass. "What are we toasting to?"

"Don't know. Just know we need another round after that."

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dean

My throat burns. It's wrong drinking good whiskey this fast.

It's a bad idea, drinking at all.

This conversation is too serious for it.

The trust in Chloe's eyes is too intense for it.