Page 26 of Whispers in the Dark
She shakes her head. “But this is more than you offering to help me by changing a tire on my shitty ass car.” She tucks her long hair behind her ear. “I mean, it would just be temporary, but still.” She waves her hand in the air. “You’re agreeing to marry me. Like husband and wife. Legally bound to one another. ‘Till death do us part’ and all of that.”
I nod in response.
She taps a finger on the arm of the chair, staring at the flames, lost in thought.
I type on my phone and clear my throat to gain her attention.
I understand I may not be what you are looking for in this arrangement. I just wanted to help, but it’s okay if you want to say no.
Her brows immediately cinch together as she shakes her head and abruptly stands, the blanket falling to the floor as she regards me. “That’s not at all what I want.”
I arch a brow.
She paces on the hearth before the fire. “The moment you asked, I wanted to say yes. I was just caught off guard and surprised that you’d even consider this. And all afternoon, I’ve been trying to figure out why you would volunteer for this when you get nothing in return. It doesn’t make sense to me.” She pauses, her attention shifting to me. “Even if it’s only temporary,why would you want to marry me when you gain nothing from this arrangement?”
Because the thought of you being married to anyone else but me, even temporarily, makes me want to rip my cold, beating heart out of my chest.
I glance down at my phone, type three words, and then stand, taking a few steps toward her before showing her my screen.To thank you.
As if she understands the deeper meaning behind my words, her lips part, and her skin suddenly looks paler. She shakes her head, a few loose strands of hair escaping from behind her ear. “You never need to thank me for that day,” she whispers, her eyes fixed on the floor.
But I do.
I reach out and tuck her hair back into place, her eyes tentatively glancing up. I type,Maybe I don’t need to, but I want to. You helped me, and now I want to help you.
“Mauro…” She hesitates, peering down at the ground. “We never talked about what happened that day.” Her eyes lift to mine. “I know it was so long ago. I mean, it was over seven years ago. But maybe we should, because I think there’s something you should know—”
“No.” The word comes out with more force than I intended, eliciting a shudder from Alina.
I close my eyes, fighting off the memory that wants to assault me. That wants to remind me of my darkest hour.
“Stop!”
My eyes lock onto hers…
My knees connect to the ground…
Her arms wrap around me…
My heart thunders beneath my chest…
“Sorry,” she says softly, distracting me from my own damn thoughts. “I didn’t mean to bring up a painful memory. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
I shake my head, letting out a deep breath. I open my eyes, seeing the uncertainty in hers, and it sends a ripple of pain across my chest. I stab my index finger into my sternum and say, “Sorry.” The pain scratches up my throat like talons, but I disregard it, watching her carefully.
She shakes her head, and her lips slightly curve up into a warm, forgiving smile. “It’s okay.” She waves a dismissive hand and paces before me. “Well, there has to be something I can do to make this whole crazy idea feel worthwhile for you. What can I offer you?” Her big brown eyes hold on to mine as she looks at me beneath her thick, dark lashes.
God, she has no idea what her innocent suggestion does to me.
Images of Alina on her knees before me flash in my mind.
Tears springing to her eyes as her lips wrap around my—
I pinch the bridge of my nose, waiting for the vision to disappear, when a thought hits me.
Quickly, I type,Teach me ASL?
She tips her head to the side. “Really?”
