Page 43 of The Lie

Does he love me?

Is that why he paid off my debts?

“I hope you don’t think I’m a gold digger?”

“You’re the furthest thing from one, sweetheart,” he says softly. “Now get that sweet arse over here.”

Before his words even register, he reaches for my hand and tugs my body into his.

I tilt my head back and meet his gaze as his arms slide around my waist, holding me in place. He’s too close, too handsome, and the familiar scent of his cologne fills my senses, leaving me slightly dizzy.

“What are you doing?”

“We’re making up.”

I narrow my eyes. “Says who?”

“Says me. I’m sorry I hurt you, Poppy. Truly, I am. I know I took away your choice when I paid those debts after you asked me not to. I know you felt like I didn’t listen to you, and I hate that I made you feel that way. But please believe me when I say it was never about controlling you or putting you in a position where you owed me something. I saw the person I care deeply about struggling, and I couldn’t stand by and watch you carry that burden alone.”

“I was managing.”

“You were surviving … just,” he says quietly, as one hand leaves my waist to cup my face. “I know you’re strong. I know you would’ve found a way, because that’s who you are. You’re a fighter … a doer. But that doesn’t mean you had to carry it all by yourself. Not when you have me. And you know what? I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat because I’d rather have you angry at me than watch you drown.”

“But I didn’t have you. That’s the point. What we had was fake.”

“In the beginning, perhaps,” he counters. “But right now? Five days ago? It was very real to me. From the second you threw yourself at me in that kitchen, I knew I was never going to let you go.”

“I did not throw myself at you!” I argue.

A smug smile tugs at the corners of his mouth as his thumb skims my bottom lip, sending a tingle down my spine. “You absolutely did,” he murmurs. “So stop fighting me for one second, sweetheart, and kiss me.”

For once, I don’t let my fear make the decision for me. I rise onto the tips of my toes and do just that. I choose the man my heart wants over the doubts that have kept me away.

Chapter 15

Bennett

I’m not sure why I’m this nervous waiting for Poppy’s name to be called. I’ve sat through plenty of stressful moments in my life, but somehow this one has me more on edge than my own graduation did.

My mother is on one side of me, my brother on the other, and somehow having them both here makes today feel even bigger.

My old man’s a workaholic, so I never expected him to come. He showed up the day I received my law degree, but only because Mum made sure he did.

The names are being called in alphabetical order. We’re currently on K, which means the L’s are next.

My eyes haven’t left Poppy since I arrived, even though, for the majority of that time, I’ve been staring at the back of her head. She’s currently standing at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for her turn, ready to take the next step towards the future she’s worked so hard for.

The room falls quiet as the announcer prepares to call the next graduate. When Poppy climbs the stairs and pauses at the edge of the stage, my heart swells in my chest. To say I’m proud of this woman and everything she’s achieved would be an understatement.

“I now have the pleasure of presenting Miss Poppy Daffodil Lancaster, who graduates today with a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours.”

Before I can even process the moment, Nolan—being the absolute dick he is—springs out of his seat, pumps his fist in the air, and yells, “Whoop, whoop! Go, Pop!” as she makes her way across the stage.

“Sit down, you fool,” I growl, pulling on the back of his shirt and tugging him into his seat.

“I’m proud of her,” he says.

“Get in line.”