"No," she retorted sharply. "Not until you tell me why you don't want me visiting my own family or why you think you're too good to even meet with them."
He sighed, running a hand down his face. "I'm not too good for anyone, you know that. I have my reasons, and you need to trust that. Please."
Lucielle swallowed hard at his small admission, pausing at his side. "What are your reasons?"
He looked away from her, his jaw clenching as he stirred his soup, contemplating how to respond. How could he explain without revealing everything? He resented John in that moment, and mostly himself for agreeing to keep anything from his woman.
"Forget it, Floyd." He grabbed her arm as she attempted to leave, squeezing her gently as he spoke.
"Please sit down and eat with me. It's been a challenging w
