Page 117 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)
“Why don’t you want to get married?”
I shrugged. “Because I don’t. I never have.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I just don’t.”
“Is it because you don’t believe in marriage? Or because you don’t want to make a commitment?”
My hands fisted. “No.”
“Then what?” Her voice was getting louder. She was as frustrated as I was. “Why don’t you want to get married? You said it wasn’t me, so why? Because the way I see it . . . you either don’t want to get married to me and you’re lying. Or you are just scared.”
Should I lie? Should I tell her I didn’t want to marry her?
It would be pointless. She’d see right through my bullshit, and I couldn’t do that to her. Some sick part of me wanted Willa to love me—just a little—even after this was over.
“It’s not you,” I confessed.
“Then you’re scared. Why?”
“Why does not wanting to get married mean I’m scared?”
She narrowed her eyes. “You’re scared.”
“I’m not scared, Willa.”
“Then what?” She uncrossed her arms, throwing up her hands. “Why? I want to know why.”
“I don’t know why!” I shouted. “Okay? I don’t know why. I just know that I don’t want to get married. I don’t want to feel trapped.”
“So you feel like I trap you?”
I sighed. “No.”
“But you just said that being married would mean you’d be trapped. Is that what you think about all marriages? Do you think Thea feels trapped by Logan? Or my dad feels trapped by my mom?”
“No.”
“Then your reason is shit.”
I jerked back and frowned. She rarely cussed and it always took me by surprise.
“I don’t know what else to say, Willa. I don’t want to get married. I don’t want kids. I’m not going to be the guy who takes those things away from you.”
“So you’re doing all this to set me free?”
“Yes.” I closed the space between us. “I’m not husband material. Or father material. Go. Be with someone who is.”
She searched my eyes, trying to decide if I was telling the truth. Every passing second was killing me.
Walk away, babe. Just walk away.
“No,” sh
e whispered.
“Please.” I closed my eyes. “Please. Go.”
