Broken Hart (A Cross Creek Small Town Novel #1) - Kelly Collins Page 0,60
support. I have friends. I have options.” I’d save myself, thank you very much. I could afford my own place. I could do this! I didn’t need him to feel bad or for him to do what he thought was the right thing.
He told me he loved me. He apologized for being cruel and dumping me, though I wanted him to know I didn’t see it that way.
“You aren’t a dick for dumping me. I didn’t tell you something I should have confessed early on.” I still believed that, regardless of what Melanie had said or what my mother thought. Being with someone meant being open and honest with them, even when it was uncomfortable.
He told me he was fumbling through his whole life, and he hadn’t been serious about anyone since me. He said I was the one for him, but what if his love was skewed with worry and pity and a need to take care of me? Noah was a protector at his core. He always had been. He’d do whatever it took to keep me safe. But did he believe me when I said I didn’t need to be saved? Did he understand my need to be equal? Did he trust that I could do this on my own?
I studied his impassive features.
“I want a partner.” I lowered my voice and traced his face with my gaze, aware this might be turning into our final goodbye. The thought shattered me, and I inhaled past the lump in my throat. “I want a friend and a lover. I don’t just want a dad for my child, because if that’s the only reason you want me, then everything will fall apart.”
I needed him to understand. Taking another step closer, I took his hands in mine and looked into his eyes. “I know you want to protect me, Noah. You always have, and I love that about you, but you don’t need to this time. I’ll be okay.”
To my horror, his perfectly calm mask broke, and he laughed.
“Do you think,” he asked in a warmer tone than I ever expected, “that I’m only asking you to marry me because I need to save you or because I want your baby to have a father? Do you think I said I love you because of some twisted sense of honor or duty?”
He cocked his head and waited.
“Well, it obviously crossed my mind.” I lifted both shoulders, aware I wasn’t sure if this was his reason. “I need to know that saving me isn’t a motivating factor. You think you need to buy me houses, accept my pregnancy, and take care of me, and that’s worrisome.”
He chuckled. “Sorry, I’m not trying to be a dick, and I’m not laughing at you.”
“Sure feels like it,” I muttered, a bit of humor creeping into my aching heart.
He let go of my hands and grabbed my shoulders as I peeked up at him. “I’m laughing at the thought of you needing anyone to take care of you. I know how strong you are.”
He gave my shoulders a squeeze.
“And when I think about you putting Benji in his place despite your hatred of being humiliated in public…” He laughed again, and I couldn’t hold back a grin. I had torn into Benji pretty good.
“I think you broke him. I mean, he published the article, but he only did it because he couldn’t back down after the verbal whipping you gave him.” He pulled me into his arms. “I’m sorry for doing something without your approval, but I swear it came from a good place.”
I melted into his arms and clung to him.
“I’m sorry too.” I buried my face in his chest and breathed him in.
“I do see you as an equal, and as a partner.” He tipped my chin back with his thumb. “As a friend and a lover too. I messed up. Can I make it up to you? I’m not going to give up on us that easily.”
My stomach dipped.
He continued. “I already lost you twice, and I’m not letting it happen again.” His eyes bore into mine, and I couldn’t hold back my words.
“Sounds like you’ve made up your mind.”
He must have detected the humor in my voice because he arched a brow and smiled. “I see you as a partner, but I’m also willing to do whatever it takes to make everything right between us. If you want me to go, I will, but if there is anything I can do—”