Trouble in Paradise by Three Way

Chapter 0513

I grabbed Pete's hand. "No. It's not that I wanted to avoid you. Maybe... Maybe I'm just not used to it yet. How about we try again?"

I tilted my face up slightly and closed my eyes. This time, I was sure I wouldn't back away.

But Pete didn't kiss me. Instead, he playfully ruffled the hair he had just smoothed, and I heard his soft chuckle in my ear.

"Stop being so adorable. I'm not exactly a gentleman, you know. If you keep this up, I might not want to let go."

"..." Just as I was about to speak, Pete pressed his finger gently against my lips.

"I'm really happy to hear you say that today. But, Ari, I only want you to be happy."

"Being with you makes me happy. Over the past three years, it's impossible to say I've never hesitated because of you.

"But I always feel like our feelings aren't equal, and I don't want to let you down. I don't know what kind of choice would be fair to you. I want you to be happy too."

I spoke, and I could feel my throat tighten. "From now on, I will stop viewing you as my

smiled at me, tender and affectionate. He shook

being together. Don't rush into

hand, which had been stroking my hair, trembled as he spoke. It seemed he was summoning

these past three years, Nicholas had his

do you mean?" I

eyes. 'Don't look at me like that.

against his palm as I blinked. It tickled him, but

voice was low and steady as he continued, "I don't want to defend Nicholas because he really did hurt me, and I'll never forgive him for that. But, Ari, I don't want to see you suffer, so I'm

his side of the story. But if you've thought it through and decided that I'm someone you could

get married. If that day comes, I'll personally walk you down the aisle

are

me, how could there be any reason that justified it all? Could there

seen him making out with Claudia. Did he