She wanted to tell him things could change, but she could see how drained he was, so she remained quiet. As good as it felt to have him open up to her, she didn’t know what it meant or what his plans were. “When we met, you said you weren’t sticking around. Is that still true?”

“I tried to leave, and look where I am. Staring into the eyes of an angel I don’t deserve.”

Her heart filled up. “Why would you say you don’t deserve me?”

“Because I lost everything, Mads. I’ve got nothing but some shit in storage and a small pile of money in the bank from before my life exploded. I have no career, no future. I lost my job because I took off and didn’t show up for work, and I don’t even know what I want to do for a living. Thank God I didn’t turn in the keys to my apartment. I’ve got nothing to offer you, Blue Eyes.”

“Believe it or not, I didn’t like you for your job or this castle.” She grinned.

“Are you making fun of my digs?”

“No. I like it here. But you know you can get another job, and I’m not trying to minimize how awful it must be to find something you love doing and then lose it, but at some point I’m sure you’ll figure out a new career. Although I will miss seeing you on that skateboard thing rolling out from under a car. That was hot.”

“Skateboard thing?” He arched a brow as he threaded his fingers into her hair, gently pushing it away from her face. “God, I missed you, Blue Eyes.”

“Is that why you haven’t kissed me yet?”

He rolled her onto her back, gazing deeply into her eyes. “I haven’t kissed you because I want you to be sure you want to be with me. I don’t want to fuck this up, and I don’t want you to regret being with me ever again.”

“I don’t regret it.”

“But you did. I saw it in your eyes when Blaine told you what I’d done.”

“You’re right, but that was before I knew the whole story, and more importantly, before I had time to think rationally and realize you didn’t owe me an explanation.” She reached up and pressed her hands to his scruffy cheeks. “You listen to me, Tobias Riggs. People make bad decisions, and the rest of the world is left to live with them.”

“Did you just quote me?”

“Yes, but let me finish. Those same people can learn from their mistakes, and that means you and me. I want to be with you, but only if we can be honest with each other on every level.”