Page 164 of Falling for the Enemy

“I fucked up, Joce, and I know it. I never should have prioritized business over being there for you. But I swear, it was only business. I spent the whole time wishing I was back here with you.”

Her chin dropped to her chest. “What about⁠—”

“The picture was a setup. Yes, Olivia Aldrich was there, but so were two hundred other people associated with her mother and father. It was a charity event. She used the opportunity to manipulate me and hurt someone I love, and she’ll never do it again. I made sure of that.”

He spoke with such certainty, such protectiveness, it sent a shiver of awareness down her spine. But no matter how much she wanted to believe him that the photo was innocent, she couldn’t stop picturing it in her mind.

“She was touching you like she…” Her words cut off as the pressure in her throat tightened.

“If you look at my face, Jocelyn, really look, you can see how uncomfortable I am. My hands were balled into fists, and my jaw was clenched tight enough to break a tooth. But none of that should matter. I’m telling you the truth. I would never, ever hurt you that way. All I ever wanted to do was love and protect you.” He let out a breath. “Please tell me you know that.”

Despite all her anger and heartache, she couldn’t deny the truth. She nodded and rasped, “I know.”

“I’ve spent the last few sleepless nights trying to figure out how to fix this. King and I had some long, honest heart-to-hearts about my stubbornness, and I’ve been informed that being a control freak is not the same as being in total control.”

A small laugh puffed past her lips. “King told you that?”

“Well, not the last part. That came more from Grey and Logan.”

“They’re not wrong.”

“I know,” he admitted. “I knew that the second I fucked up. I tried so hard to be there for you, but I…” He shook his head. “I took on too much. Turns out, I’m only human. I’m learning to live with these flaws.”

“How’s that going?”

“Not great, but I’m working on it.” He took a small step forward. “Did you know that you can love someone so much that the thought of losing them can make you physically ill? Like, physically ill.”

She nodded, because she did know. Her stomach had been killing her for days.

“The thought of losing you broke my heart, Jocelyn. I literally thought I was having a heart attack.”

“Stop.” She sniffled, unable to believe that anyone could feel so deeply for her.

“I’m serious. The paramedic said it was just an anxiety attack, but when I was on the kitchen floor unable to breathe, I honestly thought I was dying.”

Her head shot up. “What? What paramedic?”

“Wren didn’t tell you?”

She took a step forward. “No. Tell me what?” She was going to strangle Wren.

He waved her concern away. “It’s nothing. Apparently, I have anxiety.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “I never felt anything so horrible before in my life. The thought of a future without you… It felt like having my heart clawed out of my chest. Thank God Logan had been there to call the ambulance.”

“Soren, are you fucking serious? It was so bad you needed an ambulance?”

“As serious as an anxiety attack, which—turns out—feels exactly like a heart attack.”

“Oh, my God.” She closed the distance, stopping only a scarce few inches in front of him. She wanted to touch him to make sure he was okay, but if she laid a single hand on him the last of her defenses would be lost. “Have you seen a doctor?”

“I saw my primary on Monday, after it happened. He ran more tests and told me to manage my stress. I asked him to write me a note prescribing you to forgive me, but he said no.”

Her chin trembled, her concern too big to laugh at his corny joke. “Are you okay now?”

He nodded. “I’m getting there. Working on fixing a few wrongs and prioritizing the things that matter most, like family.” He pocketed the dog whistle and lowered to one knee.

She immediately stepped back. “Soren, you don’t have to do this.”

“I do. This is what I want, Jocelyn.” He opened the velvet box, revealing a diamond so bright it looked like he’d plucked a star right from the sky.