Love, Chocolate, and Beer (Cactus Creek #1)(106)

“Eric, I’m sure she understood. You were just starting out in your career.”

“That’s what made it worse. She did understand. She didn’t call back after that because she didn’t want to ‘bother’ me. If one of the interns at her hospital hadn’t mistakenly called me instead of her actual emergency contact, I might have never known she was sick until it was too late.” He sighed. “So I didn’t tell you because I was ashamed. I thought you’d be as disgusted with me as I was. And I didn’t want you to see my worst flaws; I didn’t want to lose you over them.”

More similarities they shared.

His tone changed, softened as he asked her a question in return, “Would you have gone through with the deal if I had told you about my mom from the start?”

One of the many questions she’d already asked herself.

“I think I would have. And just as importantly, I think my dad would have, too.” Though she was being the pot to his kettle, she said candidly, “You should have trusted us. Trusted that we would’ve done what we could to help you. Everything might have actually worked out.”

The measured pause on his end primed her for the question she knew was coming.

“Everything? Would you have stayed with me? Married me like we’d planned?”

The answer no longer freaked her out anymore. “Yes.”

His quiet curse had her smiling in surprise. Eric never cursed.

“Would you still marry me now?”

Ah, now that sounded more like the old Eric she knew.

Her chuckles turned into outright laughter. “Do you really want me to answer that?”

“Yes,” he rumbled immediately, before following-up with a sighing, “No.”

Something told her he already knew about Luke.

“Are you happy with him? That chocolate shop guy?” His tone was sincere, though it sounded like he was gnashing his teeth over the word ‘chocolate.’

“Yes. Which is surprising. He’s really different from you.”

“Yeah? Like I-still-have-a-chance different?”

She could almost see his green eyes brightening at the end of that question mark. God, she’d forgotten why she’d fallen in love with the man in the first place. He was the most outrageous flirt. In a sweet, ‘come hang out with my labrador’ way.

But there was also something in his voice that made her consider her answer carefully. “Luke was the one who told me about your mom. And he’s the one who encouraged me to call you…and forgive you.”

“Damn. Of course he had to be a friggin’ saint.”

She didn’t know who this new Eric was, but she liked him. Didn’t love him. But could definitely see being friends with him. One day.

“Do you?” he asked quietly. “Forgive me?”

“No.” She had to be honest. Even though the pain she heard in his near silent exhale made her hurt as well. “But I want to,” she added softly. “And I think I will. One day.”

“That’s more than I deserve, frankly.” His voice flooded with sorrow. “Sweetheart, if I thought it would help, I’d spend the rest of my life apologizing to you, and every day of it trying to make things up to you somehow—”

“Then I’d spend the rest of mine telling you it wasn’t your fault,” she broke in, the truth of that statement seeping into her skin, settling into her bones.

She could hear the question marks in his patient silence. A silence she knew he’d never be the first to break.

Again, so different from Luke.

“I said I don’t forgive you; I didn’t say I still blame you.” Her words snagged in her throat as she replayed the final, paradoxically heartbreaking look of peace on her father’s face just before the monitors flatlined—simultaneously imagining Eric having gone through that same final moment with his mother. Alone. “You did what you needed to do for someone you love, Eric. The only fault there is in loving that person beyond all reason and ramification. So no, I don’t blame you for what happened to my dad. Not anymore.”

“Dani...” He sounded shocked. Out of sorts. “You don’t have to do that. I told you, I don’t deserve it.”

“Well, you’re going to damn well accept it, you stubborn ass,” she huffed, smiling when she heard the stunned pause followed by the surprised chuckle ringing out from his end.

It took him a moment to get his bearings, and when he did, the Eric that returned was definitely not the same man she’d been engaged to. Just as she was no longer the same woman.

“Wow,” he said in something close to awe. “You really have changed.”

“Yep.” Pride—and thoughts of Luke—filled her then. “Haven’t you heard? I’m all hardcore now. I issue throwdowns, kick ass, and take no prisoners.”

His chuckle deepened. “I have heard.”

“I also collect on debts owed to me.”

“Yeah?” Amusement and curiosity battled for dominance over that one word.

“Uh-huh.” She took in her first deep, unstifled breath of the night before throwing out lightly, “After all is said and done, the fact is, mister, you owe me for everything you’ve done. Big time. And just so you know, the day I forgive you is the day I’ll start collecting. So be ready.”