Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Shane lowered his head and asked her, "What kind of answer do you want from me? Yes or no-so you can decide if you want to be with me or not?"

Sandy didn't deny it.

They'd both grown up. Four whole years had gone by, the ups and downs rolling over and over between his stubbornness and her amnesia.

Now, it was time to face the future.

And right now, they had to deal with this awkward moment.

She drew in a quiet breath, eyes fixed on him. "There's a difference between just keeping a woman around, and actually caring about her. The first one, there's no real feelings there. The second-well, we did care about each other, once.

But honestly, I don't think you ever thought I was that important. Even after you found out I'd lost my memory, you said yourself you hesitated for months before going to confront Florence.

Why did you hesitate?

Maybe your grown-up self was weighing things. Did you still love me? Or were you just trying to help our daughter find her mom again?

I know I was never good enough for the Nelson family. If you really wanted me back, you'd have to risk everything-possibly even your stake in the company. Is someone like me really worth all that, Shane?"

calm but piercing-and Shane immediately felt a wave

hadn't changed. Still as fearless as

had hesitated,

now, Shane finally understood his own heart. "You're

him, searching

"Sandy, you're worth it.

then... I did have feelings for you, I just couldn't admit

these years, I kept telling myself I

her mom was-I just couldn't let go of you. Couldn't forget how things were between us. Couldn't forget

crush? Even if you didn't fit into

like you.

was low and rough, his forehead pressed against

fluttered as she tried to hold back tears, her voice barely a whisper, "Can...

He flashed a crooked

his phone, ready to call

phone rang-and the ringtone filled the

you two finally talk things out?" Whitney sounded