Page 119 of Deliverance

“Do you think that’s why you’re so attached to her? You’ve bonded with her…you broke through the…training my father put you through, and now you don’t know how to let go?”

I frown. I hadn’t thought of it like that. I hadn’t thought of myself attached to Maryia outside of a normal relationship. Maybe Bridgette has a point, though.

Shaking my head, I look up at the ceiling.

“I have to break up with her.”

Bridgette rests her head on my shoulder.

“Because of me?”

I don’t miss the hopefulness in her tone. A small part of her wants me to leave Maryia for her. That insecure part of Bridgette, the one where she isn’t sure she’s worthy of a true and healthy love, is desperate to know. I so badly want to give it to her, but I have to be honest as well.

“Not just because of you,” I say, causing her expression to fall slightly. “Maryia and I don’t fit. We fight more than we laugh. I’m constantly counting down the seconds until she goes home, and I avoid her texts at every turn.”

Like today.

“It’s not supposed to be like that,” I say with a shake of my head. “We’re supposed to want to be together all the time. We are supposed to have a hard time breathing without one another.”

Bridgette nods as I close my eyes and let out a deep exhale. When my eyes pop open, I pin them on her as I continue.

“And I can’t continue being in a relationship with someone when I’m in love with another. When I want to build a life with another.”

She looks surprised, and I honestly don’t understand why. Does the silly girl not realize what I would do for her? More like what Iwouldn’tdo for her? Bridgette Brenton has ruled me far longer than she even realizes, and at this point, I have no doubt nothing, and no one will be changing that.

“You want to build a life with me?” Bridgette asks on a soft whisper.

“Very much, if that’s what you want,” I say as I brush a piece of hair out of her face.

She gives me a small smile, biting her lip as she nods.

Leaning forward, I press my lips to hers when my phone rings. Again. It hasn’t stopped ringing since this morning. Apparently, all Maryia needed was the night to be pissed with me, before she started blowing me up nonstop.

Groaning, I pull away and check to see that, yep, it most definitely is her. Bridgette sends the phone a scathing look.

“Can’t she take a fucking hint?”

I laugh at that. “Easy girl. Claws away. It’s best if I meet up with her and get this over with.”

She pouts at that, but nods.

“Fine. Do you want to grab dinner tonight? Maybe head into Boston for the night?”

My eyebrows lift. “Miss Brenton, are you asking me on a date?”

Bridgette rolls her eyes as she pushes up to stand.

“Like you’re not dying to go out with me.”

I smile as I watch her slip her shoes on, grabbing her purse and not so subtly sticking her ass out as she bends over. I sink my teeth into my lip and nod.

“As long as I can have you for dessert.”

She gives me a placating laugh and shakes her head.

“You’re gonna have to work on your pickup lines, you’re sounding as corny as Walcott.”

I laugh at that. “I’ll prepare some of my best material. I’ll call you when I’m done with…all of that,” I say, gesturing to my phone that stopped ringing just to start all over again.