Chapter 222

Richie flew out that night, a nervous lick in his stomach that refused to settle down.

He knocked on her door early the next morning.

Stacey opened the door, still groggy from sleep, when she saw the man’s face that haunted her dreams.

“Please honey give a chance to explain..”

“I’m not your fucking honey..you have 5 minutes and then you’re outta here.”

She sat opposite him pulling her robe even tighter around her body.

“Say your say Sambora, I don’t have all day.”

He sucked in his breath, the ring burning a hole in his pocket.

“The picture you saw was when we were drinking coffee at the hospital after Ava’s accident. She told me she had just broken up with her boyfriend and I felt sorry for her. I just tried to comfort her that’s all.”

“Ok and explain then why would she have your phone 7 ‘o clock in the morning?”

‘She is a sneaky bitch, she heard the phone and answered it…I didn’t hear it I swear I was in the shower..”

Richie seemed shifty eyed and her heart felt heavy. He wasn’t being straight with her.

“Richie look me in the eye and tell me nothing happened between you two..”

“Stacey baby, nothing happened. She tried but I pulled myself together before things got out of hand..”

Her eyes burned into him, thunderbolts seemed to flash in her cat green eyes.

‘When exactly did you pull yourself together, when your dick was in her or just before..”

Words escaped Richie and he just stared at her. Stacey felt a rip in her gut and she stood up her voice quivering as she said softly..

“Get out of my house..”

“Stacey I came here to tell you I love you. I’m sorry for what happened. Heather will never try to get between us ever again..Will you marry me?”

Stacey felt a bit unsteady as the question rushed from his lips.

He took the little box from his pocket, ripping the bow off in his haste to show her the ring.

The ring was exquisite and it took Stacey’s breath away, her heart pounded in her ears.

‘I’m sorry Richie. I just cannot give you an answer yet. I’m not even sure I can ever trust you again. You cannot expect me to forget everything and run back into your arms!”

Richie paled at her answer.

“Please baby I don’t need an answer right away, but will you think about it?”

“Give me some time Richie….” Her heart ached at the broken man standing in her doorway.

He pushed the little box in her hands.

“You keep it and take your time…please give us a chance…we can make this work.”

He reached for her but she pulled away.

Richie sighed his heart shattered to pieces.

“I’ll call you soon ok?” He turned around and walked away.