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“It’s because they’re assholes, and you know it. Don’t feed me any more of the excuses they always give you to wash it away. Or take the blame you don’t deserve.”

That’s a bit harsh, but it feels good to hear. It validates all the angry whining I’ve internally been going through lately. I thought I’d left my issues behind when I moved. Turns out they’ve been building in the background while I’ve been oblivious.

“Maybe,” I offer with a pout. Admitting it without really saying it.

He lets out a rough sigh, but his body doesn’t relax.

“I need to tell you something. I feel like this is the right time. As horrible as it is.”

I lean back with a frown. His face is set in stone, looking emotionless. Not the laser focus. This is something different. It feels more ominous than anything he’s given me before.

“Grace brought something up in group today that I couldn’t argue against,” he admits, letting out a tense sigh. His eyes move away from mine to focus on the wall.

“That’s rare,” I twist in his arms to regain his attention. His shift to caution brings back my paranoia.

“I’m expecting you to go all in with me withoutknowingme.”

I stop the subtle movement, my brows furrowing.

“What does that mean?”

“You never ask about my money. You just accept that I have it. You never ask me for anything material when I’m fucking panting to hand it all over to you. Because the only thing you want isme. You haven’t looked up my history either, and I’ve been riding high on it,” he grumbles, his arms dropping away from me. He sits on the couch with careful movements. As if he thinks he might break a bone if he’s relaxed.

I don’t hesitate to sit at his side on my knees, facing him. I cup his cheek and turn him to face me. His eyes won’t meet mine.

“Cher,” I whisper. “You could be dead broke, and the only thing I’d say is get a job. We can fight our way through anything together. I’m right here. I’ll be right here. There are no rules to us. We talk when we’re ready. Being quiet is fine, too. I don’t want to take anything from you. I want to give, that’s all.”

“I’m ready,” he says without much oomph to it.

“To run,” I let a soft smile break free and brush my nose against his. “Don’t make me chase you, yappy dog.”

“Would you?” His eyes meet mine with an intensity I can’t deny.

“I would,” my smile falls away.

“Am I your one?”

My lashes flutter in surprise. I know he’s teasing me back, but I’m not going to keep the jokes going this time.

“You are. I knew it for sure the first time we kissed. Everything inside me reached for you, and I was afraid you wouldn’t reach back. You did, though. You grabbed my soul and made it whole. I’m not giving you up. Can you handle that?” My heart starts hammering, sweat building up along my spine. I swallow hard because my mouth has gone too dry.

His eyes widen. I’m close enough to see the way his pupils expand. Almost engulfing the burning green. It somehow makes his focus even darker.

“I’m your one.” The words are firm. I just confirmed some strange feeling inside him, and he’s accepting it without reserve. He looks so happy about it. The smile that kicks up is trembling.

“You are,” I say, and I get my real smile back, kissing him as gently as I can.

He braces his forehead against mine, panting as if he just ran here. I’m no better.

“Give me a second to celebrate,” he mutters, making me chuckle.

“You’re taking the news better than I did.”

“Because it’s everything I want.”

“You and your perfect words,” I sigh, pulling away from him.

He takes a deep breath as if he’s bracing himself and then rushes to speak.