“Maria, before I tell you, I want you to know something,” he said, his heart tightening in his chest. “I love you more than anyone else in the world. You are the most precious thing in my wretched life. I’d rather die than live without you.”
“James…” Maria began, concerned by his tone.
He glanced out the side window, unable to look at her. James took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He clutched the bottom of the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. Glancing at his hands, James prepared for the worst.
“Last fall, I did something really, really stupid,” he said in a controlled voice. “After being friends with Lori for so long, I started to wish there was something more between us. I was at such a low point in my life and just wanted someone to care. I didn’t want her to find
