I cross my arms in front of my chest, an eyebrow cocked. “Initial agreement?”
“Yes. I’ll stick to overseeing the design. But I will no longer participate in the remodel with you, other than when necessary to ensure my design is implemented correctly.”
“Is that right?”
“Nash is a talented contractor. I have no doubt he’ll be able to help you out if need be.”
I don’t say anything right away, simply rake my analytical gaze over her. She may think she can fool everyone else, but she can’t fool me. I know her better than she thinks I do. Than she probably wishes I do. She’s on edge, uncertain. Like her heart wants one thing, but her brain is telling her to take a different path.
Or maybe her past is.
“Why are you doing this?”
“I told you. You’re my client.”
“Bullshit, Londyn.” My chest heaving, I close the distance, but don’t touch her, remaining just out of reach. “Bull. Shit.”
“It’s not bullshit,” she retorts, her lip curling. “You’re my client. End of story.”
“That’s a lame excuse and you know it. So tell me why you’re really doing this. I know you feel this connection. You can’t deny it. You felt it the second we met in that rainy crosswalk. And it’s only grown stronger over these past few months. What happened back there…” I point to the house, just like she did. “It wasn’t a fucking mistake. It was incredible. Electric. And just so perfect, Londyn. That’s what you are. You are perfect to me.”
She flinches, as if the idea of anyone thinking she’s perfect is laughable.
“I’m not,” she states evenly. “I can’t be.”
“You are, dammit! In my eyes, you are perfect. God, you are just…”
I dig my hands through my hair, pacing as desperation takes over. I’d finally had a taste of heaven. I can’t stomach the notion of letting her walk away without a fight. I didn’t fight hard enough for Brooklyn, and in the end, I lost her. I refuse to make the same mistake here.
“I barely know a goddamn thing about you, but I know this.” I come to a stop in front of her once more. “I can’t let you push me away without a reason.” I lick my lips, the humid air causing sweat to dot my brow. “So I’m going to ask you again.” I lean toward her. “Why are you doing this?”
She searches my eyes, turmoil covering her expression. She pulls her lip between her teeth to stop her chin from quivering. “Because this will never work, Wes.”
“Why?”
“Because it won’t!” she exclaims, becoming increasingly frustrated.
“Why?” I ask again, not backing down. “Is it because I’m white and you’re black?”
She opens her mouth, as if about to argue it’s not, as I expect her to. Instead, she takes the out I’ve given her.
“Yes.” She lifts her chin, but her eyes don’t lock on mine, the telltale sign she’s still not being honest with me. “It is.”
I stare at her, wanting her to crack under my penetrating gaze. But she doesn’t, remaining steadfast in her resolve.
Heaving a sigh, I back down, my posture deflating as I scrub a hand over my face, defeated. “I’d stand in the rain with you, ya know,” I muse absentmindedly.
“Excuse me?”
I shrug. “Another Gampy pearl of wisdom. Do you know how he knew Meemaw was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with?”
She subtly shakes her head, and I grow hopeful when she steps closer to me.
“Because she stood in the rain with him. They’d gotten caught in a squall. He offered her his umbrella, but she refused. Said if he was wet, she wanted to be, too.”
“How did that help?” she asks, her expression softening into one of curiosity.
“It was at that moment he knew she wouldn’t run for shelter from whatever storm they faced.”
She blinks, but doesn’t say anything.
“You may be a goddamn hurricane, Londyn…,” I begin, my voice overcome with passion, “but I will weather any storm with you. If you’d just give me a chance. That’s all I’m asking for. Just a chance to prove to you that I am a good person. That I am worth the risk. That I am worthy of your time, your trust.”
Her eyes gloss over with unshed tears as she finally looks at me. Then she lowers her head.
“I’m sorry, Wes.”
Spinning around, she hurries to the driver’s side of her SUV. My throat tightens and stomach clenches as I watch what I almost