Page 84 of Tempting the President

His lips tightened, Kellion not trusting himself to say a thing.

“I know,” Dinah said quietly. “If it were only up to me, or even her parents, we would have chosen you. But it’s not.”

“Why?” Kellion burst out. “All these years, that’s what I couldn’t ever figure out. Why did she have to fall in love with someone like that guy when—-” He managed to stop himself.

“When my mistress could have you?”

He didn’t answer.

“When a heart chooses to love, it’s because it sees something special in another person, something that probably no one else can see. Jacqueline saw that in Eugene, and even after all these years, it’s remained special, and that’s what keeps her coming back to him, forgiving him.”

Remembering how thinner and frailer Jack felt in his arms, he said tightly, “I don’t see anything damn special about that jerk.”

“Because you don’t love him. You’ll know when you find yourself someone to love. Even when she’s at her worst, she’ll still look special to you.” Her tone gentled. “The same way you’ll always be special to her.”

Dinah pushed him towards the balcony. “Now, go have some fresh air while I prepare coffee for you.”

Crossing the balcony, Kellion leaned against the rails, Dinah’s words remaining with him.Someone special...

He had always thought Jack was special, but the problem was, she had never felt the same about him.

Unbidden, the thought of Aria came once more, and unease stirred inside him. When he had been with Jack, it had felt absolutely right that he had come to help her pick up the pieces. But now that he was apart from her—-

A fresh crisp wind wafted through him, making Kellion feel colder inside.

Why did it feel so goddamn wrong to be here for Jack?

Without realizing what he was doing, he was already pulling his phone out, and it was only then that he saw Aria’s message for him.

Aria: Thank you for the flowers. They were bloody perfect. Thank you for the media coverage. More than anything, I’m happy at how it would help the other artists. Thank you for everything.

Kellion’s heart started beating hard. They were all beautiful words, but why did they feel so damn final?

He scrolled down, and that was when he saw it.

Aria: But I don’t think I can see you again after this.

He called her. Again and again, and he only stopped when Aria had sent him another message.

Aria: I still want to see you smile. I will always see you. But I’ve become selfish. You made me selfish. You make me want more than your smile, and I hate myself for it.

The last words almost had him dropping his phone. He could practically see Aria breaking in front of him, and he only had himself to blame.

Kellion: Answer the phone. PLEASE.

Aria: I think I’m in love with you, and I don’t want to be in love with you. So please, please just stay away because I know you don’t love me back.

In his mind, he saw Aria with the shattered pieces of her glass house surrounding her. She was looking at Kellion. She was the only one who had ever seen him, but he had left her all alone, left her drowning, and he was too damn far away to save her.

Kellion slowly lowered his head.

Aria, I’m sorry.

KELLION WAS ALREADYthousands of feet above ground by the time he was free to call his security, needing to make sure that Aria was at least properly looked after. He thought about the note he left for Jack. Hopefully she’d understand why he had to leave so suddenly. He had never done it before, but-—

“Mr. Argyros.” Rio had answered at the first ring, but the way he sounded out of breath immediately had alarm bells ringing in Kellion’s head.

“What’s wrong?” he demanded tightly.