Page 55 of Inked Heart
“That’s not an answer.”I need to know if I’m imagining things.
“Yes, it is.”
I glare at him.“No, it’s not.”
He exhales slowly.“Because I didn’t want you dealing with that alone.”
The simplicity of the answer hits harder than I expected.“You barely know me.”
“That’s not true.I’ve known you for years.”
“Damien, you’ve known about me for years.We’ve never been friends.”It’s the truth even though it feels mean to say out loud.
“I know you bake cupcakes for people just because it makes them smile.”I blink.“I know you remember everyone’s coffee order.I know you laugh at Alistair’s terrible jokes even when they’re not funny.”
“That’s just politeness.”
“And I know you deserve better than the guy who just cheated on you.”
My chest tightens.“That’s a lot of observation.”
“I pay attention.”
“Clearly.”
For a moment neither of us speaks.Then I remember something.
Something he said in the grocery store parking lot.
“When you’re done playing with boys...”
He winces slightly.“Yeah.”
“You said there was a man out there who would treat me right.”
“I did.”
I tilt my head.“Were you talking about someone specific?”
The question hangs between us like a suspended thread.Damien’s jaw tightens slightly and he looks down at the gravel for a moment, then back at me.
“Yes.”
The honesty catches me off guard.“Oh.”Silence envelopes us.“Who?”I ask.
He hesitates and suddenly my heart is beating faster.Which makes absolutely no sense considering the night I’ve had.
“You’re not going to like the answer,” he says.
“Try me.”
He runs a hand through his hair, before he says the last thing I expected.
“Me.”The word is like a small explosion in my brain.
“You?”
“Yes.”
