“I know that. God, I feel terrible, Shelle.”
She took a deep breath and slowly met his eyes. “Do you even know why I left?”
“Because I was a jerk and wouldn’t help out with Katelin when you needed me to.”
“Not exactly.”
“Then I guess I don’t know.”
“I wasn’t actually gonna leave, you know. I packed up my stuff and I went downstairs and I said that I was gonna leave. I wanted to see how you’d react. You didn’t care, Nick. You just shrugged and said mumbled whatever. You didn’t even try to talk me out of it. You didn’t even say goodbye to me or Katelin! That’s when I made the decision to leave, right there and then. I didn’t think you loved me.”
“How did I ever let you feel that way? I’m so sorry, baby.”
“That’s great to hear, Nick, but I don’t know whether or not I can believe you,” she said sadly.
He leaned over the table closer to her, to the point where his face was only inches from hers. “I love you more than anything in the world, baby doll. You are the most important thing in my life, along with Katie, and I meant what I said back at the motel. I don’t think I can live without you. No, I know I can’t live without you.”
“But…”
“What’s your heart saying, Shelle?”
“My heart…I don’t know what my heart is saying. You’re distracting me,” she whispered. She shook her head and closed her eyes, trying to get thoughts of Nick out of her mind. “I honestly can’t tell. I can’t figure it out when you’re sitting right here next to me.”
“I have an idea. Do you want me to take Katie to Brian’s tomorrow for the day?” he offered. “You could have the day to yourself that way, to sort out your feelings and to relax.”
“Would you?”
“Of course I would.” He paused, and a smile played on his lips. “I’d go anywhere for you, anywhere you ask me to. I’d do anything for you, anything you want me to…”
“Be quiet!” she giggled. “You know I can’t stay mad at you when you sing!”
He stood up and walked around the table to her side. After a gentle kiss, he looked into her eyes. “I love you so much, Michelle. I wish there were some way I could show you.”
She looked away awkwardly. “I’m going to bed. I think I’m gonna sleep on the sofa tonight.”
“No, you take the bed. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
“You’re too tall for it.”
“I don’t care. I’m the asshole, so I don’t deserve the bed.”
She let out a sigh. “If you insist.”
As she walked up the stairs, he gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. “I can only pray that you figure out how much I care about you, and I’ll be praying all day tomorrow. If you left me, Shelle…” he trailed off, and his eyes filled with tears.
She offered a small smile and tore herself away from his eyes, silently cursing herself for being so weak.