not be dressed the part. To feel like you’re going to fail before you’ve even begun.”
“And that includes bra and panties?”
He holds his hands up in the air. “I know that looked horrible. I was keeping Reese busy so she could shop.”
“You were buying her the intimates, too?”
“I was.” No apology in his tone.
“Nice.” I narrow my eyes at him.
“How do you feel when you put on a new bra and panty set? Let’s say before a date. Does it make you feel sexier, bolder?”
He leans forward and I hate that he’s able to somehow make a point with this. The fact is he was buying another woman lingerie.
“I’m going to go out on a limb and say yes. Maybe you don’t know what it’s like to wear years’ old cotton underwear or a bra with one underwire missing. It doesn’t exactly help you feel like you’re the best there is out there. I’m not going to defend my actions, Hannah. I didn’t have her model them for me and I would never cross that line with someone from the charity whether you were or were not in the picture. In fact, I’d already given the sales lady my credit card. If you hadn’t stormed in there with your girl squad, I never would have seen the undergarments in the first place.”
“You’re blaming me?” I point to my chest.
“I’m not blaming you,” he says through clenched teeth. “The only thing I’ll apologize for is not telling you what I was doing. I left that night because her ex-husband showed up drunk and pounding on her door. She ended up calling the police. Reese was so scared I ended up staying over there until she fell asleep. I should’ve told you that day, but you were taking me to meet your parents and I didn’t want you having any doubts that I’m the right man for you.” He takes a healthy sip of his drink.
“Why did your shirt from that night smell like perfume?”
I thought I’d get a look of surprise or pissed off expression since I’m testing him again, but I get neither of those, only a calm facade.
“Reese had been playing in her mom’s things, spraying perfume. Although I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I am because I desperately want this behind us. Sonya is another woman I’ve helped. Jett as well. There are many others spread all over this city and if I have to bring each one here to convince you I’m telling the truth, I will.”
Tears prick my eyes and I inspect the business card again. I’ve heard of programs similar to this. How can I honestly be mad at him for helping those less fortunate?
“I have to go.” I slide out of the booth, all my emotions of the past few weeks suddenly too overwhelming, too convoluted to decipher.
“What? No.” He stands to follow me and I turn around sharply, my hand landing on his suit vest.
I take in his appearance one more time. He’s the dressed-for-success Roarke, the one I like the least. Maybe because it reminds me of my failed marriage or the way I despised him when I didn’t even know him.
Feeling the softness of the vest with the buttons, I want nothing more than to step into him and let him convince me that I’m not crazy. That I won’t always think the worst of any man in my life. That one day I’ll trust someone when they say they only want me. That a year isn’t long enough for anyone to push away all the fear the dissolution of my marriage brought on.
“I’m sorry I drew the wrong conclusions. I should have asked when I first started to suspect something but I was so sure, and I wanted to burn you at the stake. I wanted to have the upper hand when I confronted you. I see now how demented that sounds. I thought I was ready for a relationship but I see now that I’m not.”
“No.” His forehead creases. “Hannah,” he pleads, his voice cracking.
I shake my head, stepping closer just to feel his lips to mine one last time. “I never intended to fall for you, but I did.” I rise on my tiptoes and press my lips to his.
He stands there looking stunned at how this has played out.
“Always remember my feelings for you were real, but you deserve someone who won’t be assuming the worst from you at every turn. Someone you don’t have to