“You have no idea what it means to know someone can decide you don’t belong somewhere and suddenly you have thirty days to disappear.”
Richard went still.
Then he said something unexpected.
“Actually, I know exactly what it means to live with something somebody can take away.”
I thought he meant age.
I was wrong.
He looked at me for so long that I became uncomfortable.
Then he reached across the table and took my hand.
“I know this is going to sound insane.”
It did.
“I know I am old enough to be your father.”
He was.
“And I know you don’t love me.”
I pulled my hand back.
“Richard—”
“I’m not asking you to pretend.”
“What are you asking?”
His voice was calm.
“Marry me.”
I stared at him.
He continued before I could speak.
