I couldn’t.
I knew they would laugh at me, I was used to that by now. I didn’t want them to judge him for being someone that could love so goddamn unequivocally.
I folded my hands in my lap and lowered my eyes to them.
A tap at the window and a heavy sigh muffled slightly by the heavy glass pane, and the door opened.
Bates crouched down as he placed one hand on my thigh and used the other to gently raise my chin.
I stole another glance at him, and he smiled.
“Come on, Holls. You’re a lot braver than you think. You’ve already made it this far.”
I balled my fists involuntarily.
“Wanna go home?” he asked gently.
Another glance into his piercing green eyes and I could see the worry in them. That he had done something wrong or maybe that I would hate him for something as simple as wanting to buy me a dress.
I took a deep breath as I motioned for him to step back and finally got out of the car. Taking his hand firmly in mine, I let him close the door then glanced around the parking lot nervously before I smiled up at him.
My broken prince, with cracks of his own, who was possibly even ashamed that he could hide them so well when I couldn’t.
“Lead the way, Bates Murphy,” I told him softly.
Even though I wanted nothing more than to go back home, the relieved smile on his face made every terrible thing I was feeling worth it.
He had already done so much for me.
I could do this for him.