Bert was certain that Catherine loved him; she just couldn't accept the fact—at least not yet—that he was the man from two years ago. A bit of playing the wounded party would probably work in his favor.
With Riley's comfort and gentle persuasion, Catherine finally felt some of the weight lift from her heart.
In truth, she knew it herself. The reason she was so torn and in such pain all came down to one thing: she cared too much about him, loved him too deeply.
Because she loved him so much, she was afraid—afraid that what he felt for her might not be love.
As for what happened two years ago, now that she had calmed down, it no longer stirred such intense emotions in her. Just as Riley had said, if the man from that night was him, then she ought to feel fortunate. At least her first time had been given to the man she loved.
Back then, she hadn't known, and she had been heartbroken for a long time. But now that she did know, that knot in her heart finally loosened.
