Page 75 of Inevitable

“What would be the point?”

“I don’t know. I just… You guys were together for a long time. You wereengaged.”

“Yes, but she wasn’t the one.”

“Interesting.” She cocked her head to the side. “You believe there’s one person for each of us? A soul mate?”

“Let’s just say, I’m open to the possibility.”

“Aw. Maybe you are a romantic after all. Well, a cautious one anyway.” Her mouth tilted up tantalizingly, and I wanted to kiss the smirk from her lips.

“I don’t know that I’d go that far,” I teased. “But I do know that I like spending time with you.”

“I like spending time with you too,” she said, smiling briefly before her expression fell. “I just wish we didn’t have to lie and sneak around to do it.”

“I know. And I hate putting you in this position—where you feel like you’re disappointing the people you care about.”

“I’m just as guilty for putting myself in this position.” She sighed, perhaps realizing I wasn’t going anywhere or expecting anything. “I have a difficult time saying no to people. It’s something I’ve been working on—boundaries. But it’s more difficult with the people I’m closest to.”

I nodded, encouraging her to continue. She’d always been a people pleaser. Even as a young child, she’d sought the approval of her parents and authority figures.

“I told my dad about my coaching business.”

I leaned back so I could get a better look at her. “You did?”

“He brushed me off.”

I gnashed my teeth. “I’m proud of you for telling him. Hopefully, he’ll see how brilliant it is, but even if he doesn’t, you shouldn’t let that deter you.”

“Thanks. I can’t tell you how much your encouragement means to me.” She swallowed. “For so many years, I felt caught between my parents. And knowing that our family could break apart made me want to keep the peace even more. I think that’s a big part of the reason why I hesitate to say what I think, especially with my parents.”

“I’m sure that wasn’t easy.” Maybe I’d always underestimated just how difficult it had been.

“It wasn’t.” She peered up at me, toying with the hair at the back of my neck. “It wasn’t, but you always made everything better.”

I grinned, loving the fact that she was here. In my home. In my arms. I kissed her. “I realized something recently…” I hesitated, wondering if I was admitting too much. But then I decided to just go for it. “All my happiest memories involve you.”

She smiled, her eyes full of adoration. “Mine too.”

“So…”

“So?”

“Do you want to watch a movie? Do something else?” I asked.

“Don’t laugh, but now I kind of want to try some whiskey.”

“Really?” I grinned, backing away.

“Yeah.” She hopped down from the stool. “You were all fired up, and it was sexy.”

“You’re sexy.” I gave her a quick tap on the ass. She glanced at me over her shoulder and smiled. My heart seized in my chest, and then it pounded so fast I was light-headed.

Was it possible to pinpoint a moment you fell in love, or did it happen slowly? With Sumner, it had happened slowly, but in that moment, in that one look, I knew. I loved her.

But love wasn’t part of the deal, so I focused on the whiskey. “Okay. Where should we start?”

“This one.” She pointed to the bottle of Knappogue Castle. “The one with the funny name.”