Chapter 497

• “I didn’t say no to a life with you. I didn’t say no to marriage. I said it was all happening so fast, and I was scared.” I leave my focus on his hands. They’re sitting on his knees. It’s a better, safer view than his green eyes deeply boring into me.
• “I know.” He sounds ashamed, deflated, and devoid of hope; the tone of his voice yanks through my chest, tugging painfully at my emotions.
• “I need to know what you were thinking, how far it went. It’s all that goes through my head all the time. You and her and I can’t bear it.” I don’t hide my tears, and my voice is trembling as much as my hands. He lifts his hands automatically, fisting them, and puts them back down. His urge to console me and touch me is torturing him as much as his closeness is torturing me.