Tobey ran his fingers through his hair and waited in silence for me to continue.

‘Do you love me?’

‘Yes.’ His reply was immediate. ‘Always have, always will.’

Did he even know what the word meant?

I took a step towards him.

‘Do you still want to marry me?’

His eyes narrowed in confusion. ‘Yes.’

Because I had notable credentials? An acceptable CV? Because the judgemental, unforgiving bitch had a slightly soiled but mainly impressive pedigree? Because politically I’d look good on his arm? Or because I had a place in his heart?

Another step.

‘Tell me the truth, Tobey. Are you in any way still involved in the running of Dan’s organization?’

Pause. I held my breath, waiting for his answer.

‘Tangentially.’

Breathe in, breathe out. Start as you mean to go on, Callie.

‘Yes or no, Tobey?’ I raised my foot, ready to step backwards. Tobey didn’t miss the movement.

Pause. Then he replied. ‘Yes.’

The truth. At last.

‘Would you give up that world if I asked you to?’

‘Yes.’ Said with no hesitation this time.

A lie or the truth?

Another step forward. I now stood directly before him.

‘Would you give up your political career if I asked you to?’

No answer. I was strangely relieved that he hadn’t answered immediately. It made his previous answers slightly more plausible. Slightly.

‘Tobey, do you still think you can do some good in the world of politics?’

‘I know I can,’ he said eagerly. ‘And, with you at my side, we’d be unstoppable.’

I reached out and took Tobey’s hands in mine.

‘Would you give up that world if I asked you to choose between it and me?’

‘Which world?’ Pause. ‘You know what? It doesn’t matter. I’d give it all up for you. The answer’s yes.’

I tilted my head as I looked into Tobey’s intense brown eyes, trying to work out if he truly meant it.

‘I want you to give up any and every part you play in Dan’s world,’ I told him. ‘I don’t want to spend my time with you worrying about some gangland rival putting a bullet in the back of your head. I can’t live like that. I won’t.’

‘I promise,’ Tobey said, almost before the last word had left my mouth. ‘It’s done.’

The truth or a lie?

‘Ask me then.’

‘Ask you what?’ Tobey frowned.

‘Ask me to marry you,’ I said.

Tobey looked stunned, but only for a moment. ‘Callie, this is just your grief talking. What kind of man would I be if I took advantage of you when you’re feeling so hurt and lost?’

‘You’re not taking advantage, Tobey. I know what I’m doing. So, if you still want me, ask me to marry you.’

‘Callie, I—’

‘Offer going once.’

‘Damn it, Callie—’

‘Going twice,’ I warned.