“That he set you up to get hurt in the game.” I take in Lucian’s expression. “Is it true?”
He nods slowly. “I didn’t want you to think it was your fault, or remind you of a relationship that already did a lot of damage.”
“That wasn’t your decision to make,” I say.
“You’re right.” He reaches for me, caressing my cheek so carefully, his eyes tracing the movement. “I was trying to protect you, but I should have been honest. I’m sorry.”
The way he accepts his responsibility, without excuses, is entirely the opposite of how Nate would’ve responded.
“And is it true about your family owning Northwest Development & Real Estate?”
“Yes, my father runs the company,” he says. “It’s not that I was trying to hide it from you, more that I’m ashamed of what my father has done.”
“Did you know Nate’s hired him to develop Maple Lake if he closes on the sale?”
He steps back, running both hands through his hair. “No, but I can’t say I’m shocked. Nate’s been fishing for information about him.” He pauses. “I’ve spent years trying to escape my father’s shadow.”
He’s quiet for a moment. “Right before I moved here, my father was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. His cardiologist gave him two years, if he’s lucky.” He shakes his head. “A man who controlled everything—employees, contracts, entire neighborhoods—can’t control the one thing that matters now.”
“I’m so sorry, Lucian,” I say.
He sinks onto the arm of the couch. “My grandfather used to say you can’t force someone to change—they have to want it themselves. Even facing death, I don’t think my father wants to.”
The pain he’s trying to hide breaks my heart. “I’ll go see him—not because he deserves it, but because I won’t let anyone die alone, even him.” He meets my eyes. “I just hope I never losesight of what really matters the way he did—so obsessed with building something that I forget the people around me are all that actually matter.”
I close the distance between us, moving to stand directly in front of him. When I cup his face in my hands, forcing him to look at me, we’re finally eye to eye—him sitting on the arm of the couch, me standing in the space between his legs. “You would never do that because you’re a good man, Lucian Lowe.” I want him to focus on what I believe about him.
“Only because you make me want to be the man my grandfather raised me to be.” His fingers catch a stray wisp of hair, and he gently brushes it over my ear.
I lean into his touch, my heart aching to take away the pain he’s carrying. “You already are that man,” I say, before pressing my lips softly against his. Once, then twice, lingering there in the quiet.
It’s a promise, a gentle affirmation that he’s worthy of love exactly as he is.
When I pull back, his eyes are full of gratitude before he rests his forehead against mine. “I want you to see all of me, Neesha, not just the parts I think you’ll like. And I hope you’ll feel safe enough to show me all of you.”
He’s asking for the same vulnerability he just gave me—complete honesty, even when it’s hard. Of all the things I’ve shared with him, why does this suddenly feel like the hardest?
“Actually, there’s something I need to tell you too. I got an email about a storefront in Seattle earlier today, from a real estate contact I’d reached out to months ago. A small storefront has just opened up,” I tell him, watching for a reaction.
“And?”
“I haven’t responded yet.”
“That sounds perfect, Neesha. And I’ll be here when you come back to visit.”
I frown. “You’re not trying to talk me out of this? You’re giving me permission to leave?”
“As much as I want you to stay, if Seattle is what you need, then I want that for you too.”
The sincerity on his face, the way he smiles like my happiness matters to him, all of it makes my heart feel like it’s about to burst. He brushes his knuckles across my cheek, like he’s trying to memorize the way it feels, before he rises and moves toward the door.
“Lucian?”
He turns around.
“You knew I wasn’t staying…and still, you let yourself fall for me?” My voice is barely a whisper. “Why would you do that?”
He moves closer to me, his eyes locked on mine. “Because I’d rather have one real moment with you than a lifetime ofalmosts. I want whatever you’re willing to give me—five minutes or forever—I’m all in.” His blue eyes are so intense, I can hardly breathe. “My grandpa told me once,Sometimes you just know who ‘the one’ is.”He tucks a strand of hair over my ear, his fingers brushing lightly against my skin.“And from the first day I met you, Neesha Gilmore, I just knew.”
