35. Chapter 35 - Rosalyn
“Did you know that Alexander the Great took over in three thirty-six BC?” I blink up at him, my eyes wide at the craziness I’ve discovered.
I love history so much and after going to the Greek restaurant for the first time and trying the amazing food, I’m sucked into wanting to learn all about it again.
“Really?” His smirk tilts as he glances away from the road to me. “Tell me more.”
My finger moves from where I saved my place in this new book he bought me. “By the time he was thirty he had one of the largest empires ever.”
“Damn. I’m almost forty and have a house.” He snorts. “What would you want to do by the time you’re that age?”
“Um.” I pause, watching the snowy trees pass. “I don’t know.” I do, kinda.
I’m just not sure if I want to admit it.
He reaches out, patting my knee that’s folded on the seat between us. “How about when you were a kid? What did you think you’d want?”
Snaking my palm out, I pin his hand to my leg.
Every time he touches me, I don’t want it to stop.
“It’s dumb,” I whisper, suddenly doubting the only thing I’ve ever wanted.
His sideways scowl makes me shrink into the cushion. “Ros. Having a dream is never dumb.”
“It’s boring. Nothing exciting.” I should just make something up. A nurse. A teacher.
Anything but the truth.
“I won’t tease you. It’s okay to own what’s important to you, always remember that.” The dark whiskers over his jaw move when he clenches the muscle. “If you don’t want to tell me, that’s completely fine, you always have a choice. Just don’t belittle it.”
Why do my eyes sting?
Taking a shuddering breath, I clamp even tighter to his thumb. “I just wanted someone to love me who doesn’t hurt me.” The words tumble out in a rush.
I can’t look at him. It would ruin me if I saw him laugh.
When the silence drags out, I finally raise my gaze to find him scowling at the road.
“I told you it was silly.” I feel nauseous.
“Ros—” He sounds like he’s choking. “—that was the single most profound thing I’ve ever heard.
And it fucking kills me that you’ve never had it before.
” The steering wheel squeaks where he grips it.
“That’s how your parents should have been.
Ava—” He clears his throat then looks down, shaking his head.
His fingers twitch on my knee and he raises his chin to watch the road again.
After another long silence, he gives me a weak smile. “Why don’t you tell me more about Greece?”
Did I do something wrong? He told me to be honest.
Maybe I shouldn’t share? It causes him pain sometimes when I do. I guess I should listen to my own dream and not hurt someone I care so much about.