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And the jerk smiles. He smiles like he’s happy to be holding Mary in his arms. As if he’s happy to see me. ‘Alice, I—’
‘You never said you loved me.’ I cringe as I blurt the real reason I’m angry. The reason why I can’t trust anything he does, no matter how sweet.
Thomas’s head tips back at the force of my words. People around us stop looking at the windows and start looking at me.
But before Thomas can speak, Mary pipes up. ‘Sometimes actions speak louder than words, Aunt Mary.’ She drops her head to the side, touching Thomas’s. ‘Isn’t that what you said?’
I did. I did say that. And I meant it. But even though all of Thomas’s actions – the illogical desire for Mary and me to stay with him, the album with the pictures going back almost a year, the display featuring all the things Thomas, Mary and I could be – add up to love, I still can’t shake my doubt.
‘That can be true,’ Thomas answers for me. ‘But sometimes a person needs words, and if someone truly cares for them, they’ll stop being a pathetic coward and say them, even if they’ve never said them before. Even if they aren’t sure they deserve to say them.’
Mary’s eyes ping-pong between us. ‘I don’t think true love is supposed to be so complicated.’
A few people laugh, including Bell, who steps around me. ‘Mary honey, would you like to meet your Uncle Chase?’ She holds up her hands ready to take her. Mary doesn’t look tempted until Bell adds, ‘He has Mike with him.’
She perks up. ‘Prince Michael?’
At Bell’s nod, Mary struggles to get down.
Thomas lets her, making sure she’s securely on her feet before letting go. Just as she reaches the door, Mary turns, peeking around Bell. ‘Don’t forget to kiss when you’re done!’
Bell follows Mary inside, mumbling something about her getting along great with Uncle Chase.
Leaving me alone with Thomas.
And a crowd full of curious New Yorkers.
‘First I’d like to say I’m sorry.’ Thomas’s fierce expression, now that Mary is gone, would be frightening if I wasn’t 99.9 percent sure his anger is directed at himself. ‘There’s no excuse for having that contract writ—’
‘I blackmailed you.’ I step closer, eager for the words I’m hoping will follow. ‘I get it.’
He shakes his head, the open side of his overcoat brushing against me. ‘But then the private detective—’
I grab the edges of his coat, the contact reassuring. ‘It helped you find Kayla before the police did.’
He settles his hands on my shoulders, bracing himself against my getting closer as I attempt to slide my hands around his waist. ‘Yes, but I should’ve told you when—’
‘It’s okay, I forgive you.’ My fingers tighten around the fabric of his suit jacket. Nerves of self-doubt starting to build with every sentence that isn’t the one I need hitting my ears.
‘You know—’ one brow surges up in tandem with a slight uplift to the corner of his mouth ‘—for someone who wants words, you sure interrupt a lot.’
I open my mouth to respond, then snap it closed when someone in our audience chuckles.
The other corner of his mouth lifts.
‘You asked me why in my office. Why Mary and you should continue living with me. Why I would want you to.’ One of his hands on my shoulders slides up my neck, cradling my jaw. ‘I couldn’t answer. Probably because every answer I told myself was a lie. And I didn’t want to lie to you anymore.’ His thumb caresses my cheek. ‘The truth is I don’t deserve you. You’re stronger than I am. You’re smarter than I am. And you are much better at words than I am.’
Someone in the crowd sniffles.
‘But I love you.’ His hands drop away, as if now that he’s admitted his crime, he’s awaiting a final verdict.
A group of women collectively sigh.
Meanwhile I can’t help but think he’s so stupid. That I’m so stupid. Him for a variety of reasons and me for needing the words. Because now that I’ve heard them, they only serve to underline what my heart already knew. My head just needed to catch up.
‘Thomas?’ Holding his gaze, I slide my arms fully around his waist.
I watch his Adam’s apple bob. ‘Yes?’
