Chapter 47

Ronnell’s POV

Another bitter laugh escaped her lips. “I never said I wasn’t angry; I was furious. But it’s been so many years, and while I’m still working through abandonment issues, I recognize that she ultimately did me a huge favor. If I had stayed, things could have ended much worse. I might have ended up in an abusive relationship or even married to someone like my mother. The thought of either makes me want to crawl out of my skin.”

“Hey, look at me,” I said, gripping her wrist as I met her gaze. “Don’t do that. I like your skin.”

Her head snapped away, but I caught her before she could turn completely. Her cheeks were flushed an intense crimson. This woman might be a master at hiding her emotions, but her blushes always betray her.

“I never thought you would appreciate tattoos,” she said, perhaps trying to lighten the tensed mood.

“I also never thought I would either,” I admitted, ending the topic of her childhood for both our sake. “I thi