For a few moments, we’re silent. But then the tears come.

He presses his lips over my damp hair. “Don’t be upset, Lauren.” His heavy body moves against mine.

“Did all of that really happen?” I sniffle.

“It did. Don’t hide the truth or pretend it wasn’t so. It happened. Know that and deal with it.”

“Do you believe in love?” The question leaves my mouth before thought can intervene.

“What do you mean?” He places a hand on my leg. It isn’t sexual, but it’s so comforting.

“Do you believe that, regardless of who you marry, your problems will be the same? And you might as well marry for reasons like money or looks? Or is there more?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Because Sanam said, no matter who I marry, he’ll cheat and lie. I might as well go for someone who can give me a life full of material things.” I listen to his paused breath. “Slade, are you asleep?”

“No.”

“I thought of you a lot. After the wedding. Is that okay to say?”

He shifts, holding me closer. “I thought of you, too. More than I have any right to.”

“But why didn’t you ca—”

“Shh,” he murmurs, wrapping my hair in his hands.

Maybe I should press, but I don’t have the energy.

“I want to thank you. For saving me tonight. And for taking care of me.”

He remains silent as I stare at the inky darkness, trying to imagine my life back in LA. All I can see in my mind’s eye is his strong body behind mine.

His hand moves up and down against my leg. It’s a move meant to soothe. “My parents were in love. We didn’t have too much as far as material things, but life was real good, growing up.”

“Are they still in Virginia?” I recall him telling me about it in his truck at the wedding.

“Actually, they all died. My brother, Aaron, too.” His words come out matter-of-fact.

I’m stunned, remembering the funny stories he told me about himself and his brother and the drama they’d stir when they were together. “I’m sorry.”

“No need to be. Life is full of events we have no control over. We’re all just breakable things. I wake up every morning, work out, shower, and remind myself that I’m just a man and that men die. It keeps my expectations on par.”

I feel his breaths, steady against the back of my neck.

“As for love?” he continues. “I’d categorize love with allegiance and brotherhood. Those bonds aren’t breakable—in theory. In reality, no matter how hard we try, I think we’ll all be let down eventually. And we all let others down, too. Nothing good can ever stay.”

I turn around, so our lips are only centimeters apart. My hands move to his angular face. “True love is flexible and forgiving. Even if your lover lets you down, the love won’t break because it will bend for the other person.”