Page 56 of Inked Heart
“You mean...”
“I mean I’ve been waiting.”
I stare at him.“Waiting?”
“For you to realize you deserved better than Emette.”
My brain is officially malfunctioning.“Since when?”
He shrugs slightly.“A while.”
“How long is a while?”
“Since the first time you walked into House of Ink with cupcakes.”
“That was months ago.”I’m shocked to say the least.
“Yeah.”
I blink.“You’ve liked me that long?”
“I tried not to.”
“Why?”
“You had a boyfriend.”
That answer is so simple.So logical.And yet it makes something warm spread through my chest.
“You never said anything.”
“That would have been disrespectful.”
“To who?”
“To you.And Emette.”
Even now.Even after everything that happened tonight.He’s still being respectful.Still being careful.
“You really are a good guy,” I say softly.
He laughs quietly.“That’s a dangerous reputation.”
“Why?”
“Good guys usually finish last.”
I shake my head.“I don’t think that’s true.”
“No?”
“No.”
I study him for a moment.Really look at the man in front of me.Damien Grey is standing here in the dim light of a gravel driveway after following me out of a party where my boyfriend was cheating.
He didn’t try to make the situation about himself.He didn’t push.He just stayed.And then he told me the truth when I asked.
“You’re brave,” I say.
