Heartbreaker (Unbreakable #1)(73)

“You will if you sell some of your pieces.”

Her head tilted a little, her gaze settling on the ground. When my idea fully sank in, hope flickered across her face but disappeared just as fast. “It’s too late. The landlord already served the notice of eviction.”

“So give the landlord your ‘notice of staying,’ offer her an enticement.”

“Like what?”

“Like making up back rent and a few months in advance.”

She grunted in disapproval. “No way. I could never sell that many pieces at one event.”

“Depends on what kind of buyers you have.”

“I thought you said it was a party.”

“What if it’s a party…and an art showing?”

“But this isn’t a gallery.”

“Who said you have to have a gallery?”

Her expression clouded over. “All it’s going to do is get my hopes up.” Arms still folded over her chest, she drummed her fingers on her outer biceps.

I shrugged. “So don’t expect anything.”

“I only have six more days before the end of the month.”

“Next Tuesday?”

She gave a short nod.

“Best get crackin’, then. Lot to plan in three days—party’s on Saturday.”

When she didn’t move—refused to agree—I lowered my head, keeping her in my sights. Then I began to stalk her, squaring my shoulders, spanning out my arms.

She blinked, her mouth falling open. “What are you doing?”

“Going to convince you.”

Lifting her hands, she began backing toward her herb garden, shaking her damn head again. “You can’t convince me.”

“Wanna bet?”

The forgotten basket caught her back foot and she stumbled.

I lunged forward and grasped her forearms, staring hard at her. “Let me help you.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you,” I whispered.

Her breath caught.

The words silently echoed in my head. I hadn’t meant to say them. Hadn’t fully realized I’d felt them. But I’d blurted them out, straight from my heart. With zero regret.

Tears sprang into her eyes. Her lips parted.

I put my fingers over them. “Don’t say anything.”

She exhaled, her hot breath fogging over them. Then she began to bounce. When I removed my hand, she scowled. “You can’t drop that…bomb…and expect me not to say anything.”

“You’re not ready.” I sensed that much. “But if you care for me at all, let me help you.”

Eyes sparkling with unshed tears, her shoulders slumped. Then she leaned into me.

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close as I pressed my lips to the top of her head. “What do you have to lose?”

Her entire body tensed at the question.

I held her tighter, wishing I could make all her fears go away.

“Let me try and fix this—for me.” I closed my eyes, hoping she’d agree.

Because I couldn’t sit back and do nothing.





Kiki…

You. I could lose you.

When Darren had said it before, I’d been afraid, when the risk wasn’t as great. It terrified me now.

On a shaky exhale, I clung tighter to him, gripping the back of his thin T-shirt.

He remained silent—simply held me close with his solid strength.

“Okay.” I finally relented with the quiet word.

My greatest fear wasn’t becoming homeless, although, no doubt, that would totally suck. It was anxiety about this unexpected hero of mine, a warrior for my cause, becoming larger in my life than I’d ever imagined. Then being stolen away.

Things that seemed too good to be true ended up being that way in my life.

But Darren was different, right? He would never betray me.

“I love you too.” I whispered my confession into his chest.

He pulled away and stared down into my eyes. “It scares you.”

“Yes.”

Holding my gaze, he let out a gentle sigh. “Scares the f*ck out of me.”

“Good.” A smiled tugged at my lips.

He huffed out a short laugh. “Well, great.”

“Whenever I care too much about something” —I sucked in a shaky breath— “it gets ripped away.”

“I know.” His tone quieted. “Me too.”

“So…how do we get past that?”

He trailed his fingers along my jaw, then cupped the side of my face with his hand. “We fight harder to keep what we want.”

I closed my eyes, silently wishing it would be that simple: Want it, fight for it, and it’s ours.

His breath fanned over my nose, my chin. A gentle touch brushed over my mouth, then a tiny kiss pressed to one corner. Slowly he swept all the way across before gifting me another. Then his lips molded with mine in an incredibly tender kiss.

When he pulled away, I let out a tiny moan and opened my eyes.

His lips quirked. “Hence the party.”

I slapped his chest. “You’re relentless.”

“Always.”

“How is this even going to work? Six days is nothing.”