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he pushed the talk button. Only Lorraine could talk the phone company into using that
name for her.
 Lorraine.
 You re an idiot, Sloane. And I won t mince words here.
On the defensive, he replied,  If this is about Stacy, we won t have this discussion.
 Oh yes we will. She didn t want you to have that form. I m the one who told you,
right? She never intended to have you sign anything. It s my fault you just broke her
heart again.
Sloane let out a whoosh of air and his mind raced in circles.  You? Oh shit. All
those things I said, what I wrote. He hung his head.  I can t seem to stop hurting her.
 And why the hell does Monique think you re planning to marry her? Lorraine
berated him.
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 What? I told her last night that I d never speak to her again. What are you talking
about?
He looked up and at the table where he d picked up his phone. Before Lorraine
could answer, Sloane read Stacy s note and once again stated,  Oh shit.
He had some explaining to do and had to salvage his relationship with Stacy.
Losing her wasn t an option. Loving her, wanting her and needing her were his only
goals.
 Shit is right. I assume you saw the note about Monique s call? Lorraine inquired.
 Yes. Now go over everything again with me. Before I beg Stacy to forgive me, I
want to be sure I ve got everything straight.
She laughed into the phone.  Good Lord. How would men survive without us
guiding them? You included.
 Lorraine. Talk. I m listening.
 Just be sure you ask her to marry you. I can t take any more of this matchmaking
stuff.
 All she ll have to do is say yes. Sloane slumped against the table as he listened to
Lorraine.
* * * * *
Stacy dragged herself around her apartment trying to clean the dust that had settled
during her week away. Elvis had immediately craved her attention and then
disappeared to his seat by a window overlooking the parking lot.
She d dumped her suitcase on the bed and unpacked. Her computer stayed in its
bag along with the form Sloane had signed. She had no desire to look at either but
wanted to concentrate on her home.
Crying and stress had left her listless and she hoped that working would put some
color back in her face and strength into her body. Lorraine had called and was coming
over to chat so Stacy had motivation to tidy up herself and her apartment.
She opened the door when Lorraine knocked, only it wasn t her friend who stood
outside in the hallway. Sloane, armed with a giant bouquet of red roses, smiled at her.
 May I come in? he asked in a soft tone.
She crossed her arms in front of herself.  Why? Didn t you say enough to me
already? She gulped down a sob threatening to surface.
 I m sorry. Forgive me. He glanced around the hall.  Can we talk, please? Inside?
he begged.
The smell of roses reminded her of their bubble bath together. Its fragrance lulled
her senses and broke through her defensive stance.  Fine. You ve left me twice so when
you leave after we talk, that s three strikes and you re out of my life. Since that s what
you implied you wanted.
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April Ash
She moved so he could enter and closed the door behind him.
 Here. These are for you. Roses remind me of you and I want to give them to you as
a peace offering. He winked.  And I hope they ll stop you from yelling at me long
enough so I can explain everything.
Stacy took the roses and went into the kitchen.  Thank you, she said in a
nonchalant voice.  Have a seat in the living room. I ll be right there.
When she entered with a vase full of his roses, she found him balanced nervously
on the edge of the sofa. Wringing his hands, the man looked positively undone.
She sat opposite him in a rocking chair.  I wanted us to talk this morning. And I
thought we were gonna talk tomorrow. She shook her head and began rocking quickly
in the chair.  What happened?
Sloane ran a hand through his hair.  I was wrong. What happened is all my fault.
Lorraine explained 
 Lorraine?
He nodded.  Trying to be helpful, she gave me the form. He threw his hands into
the air as a sign of frustration.
Stacy stopped her rocking and closed her eyes.  I didn t want you to know about
that paper. I figured correctly that you d think I was only using you.
 Look at me, Stace. I should have talked to you about it instead of assuming the
worst. Forgive me, please? he pleaded.
Her heart melted and then a vision of her talking to Monique hours ago popped
into her head.  Sloane, I m glad we got that settled. Now you can go off and marry
Monique. I really wish you both the best. She didn t believe her own words but hoped
he would. Being just his friend would hurt forever but at least he no longer thought
she d used him.
Sloane stood, walked over to her and kneeled before her chair.  There s only one
woman I want to marry and that s you. I love you, Stacy Newman. Will you marry
me?
Tears blinded her eyes.  How can you say that? Monique said 
 Lies. All lies. I ve been trying to tell her as a gentleman that I don t want her. Last [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]