Landon's words struck her like a bolt of lightning. Summer froze, her mind blank, unable to process what she had just heard.
"I've liked you for a long time," he continued. "I just never had the courage to say it. But I can't suppress my feelings anymore."
He met her eyes earnestly. "I want to be the man you can depend on, the one you can trust. My loyalty will belong only to you."
Nervousness and anticipation trembled in his voice. He took a breath.
"Believe me, Summer. I'll do everything to make you happy. Please… marry me."
Summer didn't answer. She couldn't.
She had always regarded him as nothing more than a neighbor, a friend, nothing beyond that. Yes, she owed him for all he had done and would forever be grateful. But gratitude wasn't a reason to marry someone.
More than anything, she simply wasn't ready. Her heart was still in ruins. Her life was in a mess. At this point, she couldn't think about starting over.
She pulled her hand away abruptly.
