Page 100 of With This Ring

He shook his head. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”

“Because I thought you knew,” she explained. “I was certain you were choosing your career over me.”

He felt his heart begin to crumble all over again. Why hadn’t he asked her what he’d done wrong back then? Why hadn’t he pushed her for answers? “That’s not true.” He rubbed his eyes. “I wanted you with me in New York City. It all meant nothing without you. You should’ve known that.”

She stared at him, and something unreadable flashed over her face.

“Listen to me,” he began, “younevercame before my career. You were everything to me.” His voice was hoarse, and he felt the truth bubbling to the surface. “You’re the love of my life, Dakota, and I never got over you.”

“If that’s true,” she whispered, “then why did you leave me?”

“You left me no choice. You told me it was over and gave the ring back.”

“Why didn’t you fight for me, Hud? Why did you just leave?”

“What choice did I have?” He held his arms up. “You made it clear that we were through.” He paused for a beat. “You know what, Dakota, if you’re honest with yourself, you need to realize that you choseyourcareer overme. You never considered coming with me and opening up a business in New York City.”

They stared at each other, clearly at a stalemate.

And then his aunt’s words from the day of the bridal shower echoed in his mind:

You were too afraid to fight for her and still lose her in the end.

Was his aunt right? Had he been running from his fear of losing her only to lose her anyway? And what if shehadgone to New York City with him? Would he still have built a company with Darrenwhile she opened a successful business of her own? Would they have gotten married and started a family?

None of that mattered. The past was behind them, and they needed to face the futures they had created for themselves.

“Look, Hud. Go talk to your sister. Do whatever’s in your power to fix this.” Dakota pushed open the storm door, her hands visibly shaking. “Good night.”

He stared after her, unable to speak. The door clicked shut behind her, and her quavering voice filled his mind:

I’vealwaysloved you, Hud, but you chose your career and money over me.

Her declaration had rocked him. He’d spent the past seven years convinced she’d never truly loved him, but now he’d learned the truth.

Why hadn’t he pursued her and demanded to know why she’d broken the engagement? Why had he let her go so easily?

He wiped his eyes with a napkin as the complete truth came into clear focus in his mind: His pursuit of money and success caused him to lose not only the love of his life but also his sister.

And now he had to figure out what to do. Was it possible to clean up the messes he’d made, or should he just pack up and head to Manhattan?

He let that question settle over his soul for a few moments, and then he stood up straight. Leaving seemed like the only logical step.

Turning toward the den, he continued to pack.

Chapter 23

Dakota sat in her car in her parents’ driveway and tried to stop her body from vibrating. After leaving Hudson’s, she’d stalked toward her house and rushed inside. Trouble had met her at the door, singing his usual chorus of meows.

While she fed him, her hands still shaking, she pondered everything Hudson had said to her.

I wanted you with me in New York City. It all meant nothing without you.

You were everything to me.

You’re the love of my life, Dakota, and I never got over you.

Dakota had dropped onto a kitchen chair and held her head in her hands. She’d always thought that Hudson had left her, but the truth was, she’d pushed him away. It was all her fault that they’d missed their chance at happiness.