Chapter 130 (1/2)

I lean back against the steps. “I know that I should have, but by the time I understood and began to change what I was doing wrong, I wanted it to be perfect before I showed you. I truly am sorry for that, Tessa. I love you, and I’m sorry that you found out about it this way. My intentions were not to hurt or deceive you, and I’m so sorry that you felt that way. I’m not the same man that I was when you left me, Tessa. You know that I’m not.”

Her voice is barely a whisper when she replies, “I don’t know what to say.”

“Just read it. Will you please just read the entire book before making any decisions? That’s all I ask, please just read it.”

Her eyes close, and she shifts her body, making her knee lean into my shoulder. “Yes, I’ll read it.”

A fraction of air returns to my lungs, some of the weight is lifted off my chest, and I couldn’t put my relief into words even if I tried.

She stands up, brushing off her scratched knees.

“I’ll get something for you to put on those.”

“I’m fine.”

“When will you stop fighting me?” I try to lighten the mood.

It works, and she fights a smile. “Never.” She begins to walk up the steps, and I stand to follow her. I want to go into the apartment and sit next to her as she reads the entire novel, but I know that I shouldn’t. I use the small amount of judgment that I have and decide to take a walk around this dirty city.

“Wait!” I call after her when she reaches the top. I reach into my pocket and pull out a crumpled piece of paper. “Read this last, please. It’s the last page.”

She opens her hand and holds it out in front of her.

I take the steps quickly, two at a time, and place the wad of paper into her hand. “Please don’t peek,” I beg of her.

“I won’t.” Tessa turns away from me, and I study the way she turns her head to smile back at me.