Page 90 of The Pact
“Well, no, probably not,” I admit.
A faint smile touches her mouth.
I step closer. “Presley, I’m not asking just because of the court.”
Her eyes search mine. “What are you asking?”
I swallow because the truth is big and dangerous. So, I give her the part I think she and I can both handle right now.
“I’m asking you to help me give them stability.”
Her face softens, and she looks down at her lap.
“And I’m asking because I don’t know anyone else I’d want beside me through this,” I continue. “You’re the only one I trust with them. With me.”
She closes her eyes and lets out a deep breath. “This is … big.”
“I know.”
“Saint, this is marriage.”
“I know.”
“This isn’t something we can just …”
“I know,” I say again, but gentler this time. “Believe me, I know.”
She stands and paces the room.
At least she’s not running.
“I don’t think I can answer you tonight,” she says.
My chest tightens, but I nod anyway even though everything in me wants to plead harder.
“Okay, I get it.”
She looks at me with tears in her eyes.
“Just need to think.”
“Okay.”
Her voice breaks slightly. “If I say yes, that changes everything.”
I stare at her—because of course it does.
But everything already changed months ago when I kissed her again after eight years.
When I came inside her and felt her fall apart in my arms, it changed.
When she held me after my sister died, it changed.
It may have changed for me in more ways than her, life-altering ways, but it doesn’t change what I’m asking today.
Instead I say, “I’m asking anyway.”
She closes her eyes, and for a second, I think she might break.
