by Grey, Chloe
“Has that jerk done anything like this before?”
“Not to me, but he has a misdemeanor record for one assault on a bouncer a few years ago.”
“This is crazy,” he said, leaning back on the kitchen counter opposite me. “The second the police are done taking the report, you’re coming with me. I’ll hire someone to move your things, and we can find you a new a place if you want, but for now, you’re staying with me. Okay?”
As attractive as the offer sounded, Drew and I had not said a word to each other for almost a week. We had unfinished business. I couldn’t agree to it, no matter how glad I was that he showed up to save me in the nick of time.
“I can’t think about this right now.” I put my head in my hands and let the floodgates open. The tears flowed freely—probably from the shock of Brad’s visit—and I couldn’t handle another conversation.
Drew rushed over and sat beside me, wrapping his strong arms around me and pulling me close. “Hey. It’s okay. I won’t let him hurt you again. I promise, Leslie. I’ll take care of everything.”
“But you lied to me, Drew,” I finally let it out. “You hid so much from me. How can I trust you?”
“That was a mistake, Leslie. I should have told you sooner.”
“You had so many chances to tell me.”
“Leslie. You’re right. I did. But today’s Friday, right? Think back. We’ve known each other for exactly three weeks. I didn’t know I had a different father until three months ago, and I couldn’t figure out how to deal with it. I didn’t meet my own brother until one week ago when he and I talked before the flight. That was an hour before you met him in first class on the plane. He didn’t tell me about our father’s will until after we arrived in Vegas. And I didn’t know I was a billionaire until yesterday at the reading.
“Things don’t always happen in the timing that’s logical or convenient. I’m learning this lesson first-hand. Life certainly didn’t happen perfectly for me. I mean, I never met my real dad, and now that I’ve found out, he’s already gone. I have a twenty-three-year-old brother I met a week ago. He’s a stand-up guy, from what I’ve seen so far, but I can’t go back and have those twenty-three years with him anymore. And I’m a billionaire. Oh, and Max and I are about to run a multi-billion dollar company together. None of this is convenient or logical.
“I was wrong not to tell you about my divorce. I am so sorry for not letting you know the second I met you. I made a mistake, keeping it from you. All I can do now is ask for your forgiveness. But I’m not going to apologize for how I feel. Or for falling in love with you the second I laid eyes on you at the TV the station.”
I pulled my hands away and looked at him.
“I love you, Leslie.”
I didn’t know how to respond. I felt strongly for Drew, but love? I hadn’t thought about love. Or maybe I was denying it all along—burying it so I wouldn’t have to deal with it so quickly. No one expects to meet someone, be completely drawn into each other’s lives, and know instantly that that person is the one. That kind of thing only happened in the movies, and in romance books.
“It’s not convenient, I’m sure,” he continued. “And the timing is probably not right for you. In fact, I’m sure the timing sucks. But that’s how I feel. Now, you know everything.”
He took a deep breath and stood up. “I’ll stay with you until the police arrive. And if you want me to leave you alone, I will. Just know that I would never do anything to hurt you.”
I tried to be rational, but my heart had probably come around to the idea right from the start.
“Stay,” I whispered.
“Sorry, what?”
“Stay. Don’t leave me alone, Drew. I—I love you.”
The look on his face touched my soul. I think I saw a tear slide down his face. He sat beside me again and held me. And he’s never let me go since.
The END
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