Page 64 of The Mountain Man's Mail-Order Mafia Princess
“I have.”
“So have I.”
“That doesn’t make either of us right.”
“No, but it makes us honest.”
“Honesty would’ve included tomorrow’s car.”
I nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
Jonah’s jaw tightened.
“I’m not apologizing for therapy,” I said. “I’m not apologizing for wanting a career Daddy hates or for refusing to let him control my choices. I’m apologizing for taking your choice away while I protected mine.”
He looked at me for several seconds.
“That’s the part I needed you to understand.”
“I understand. I told myself I was waiting until I knew what I wanted. The truth is that I was also waiting until you cared too much to walk away easily.”
Jonah’s hand closed around the back of a chair.
“I didn’t plan it that way,” I continued. “I wasn’t trying to trap you. But I knew every day made this harder, and I still didn’t tell you.”
He released the chair.
“Thank you for saying it.”
“That doesn’t sound like forgiveness.”
“It isn’t.”
I swallowed.
“Are you telling me to leave?”
“No, I’m not.”
Jonah stepped toward me.
“I’m not putting you out because I’m angry. I’m not taking away your bed, food, or ride because you told me something I didn’t like.”
“I didn’t think you would.”
“Good.”
He stopped close enough that I could see the darker flecks in his eyes.
“I need time to think,” he said. “That’s different from punishing you.”
“I know.”
His gaze dropped to my mouth.
Jonah’s breathing changed.
