#Chapter Fifty-Two
"You shouldn't have done that, Gunner," Kitty said to him after closing the burgundy door behind her. "Did you see what it looked like? You were clearly on my side, and the way you treated me, everyone knows now."
"What should I have done?" Gunner said, throwing his hand into the air. "Let her beat you up?"
"I can take a beating," she said. "I'm not as weak as I look."
"I know you can, it's me that can't take it," he said. "I can't handle the sight of you hurt."
"Margaret was so mad," she said. Worry rose in her chest. "Are you still seeing her?"
"What? Hell no. We've been separated for a long time, but we're not divorced. She won't give that to me."
The events earlier raced in her mind. "You should've left us alone! Now, what will everyone think?"
"Let them think whatever they want."
"Don't you know what's at stake? Your job, Melanie, your reputation, everything!"
He ran his fingers through his hair as he exhaled. "Fuck, you think I don't know that? I prepared myself for this a long time ago, Kitty. I'd put everything on the line for you, even my life. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you."
"I know that, Gunner, I know it in my soul."
"I never thought I'd ever feel this way for a woman, but Kitty, you're unlike any girl I've ever known. I can't explain it."
"Oh, Gunner," she said, rushing forwards. They embraced each other like their lives depended on it and Kitty kissed him fiercely, her hand grabbing onto the hair behind his head and pushing him into her mouth. He pulled her waist into his body and kissed her back with everything he had in him. "What are we going to do? I'm so scared, God."
He cupped her cheeks with both hands. "Don't worry, Kitty."
"You fool!" Kitty said, tears rolling down her cheeks, over his hands. "Why did you do that?"
"It's already done, what am I supposed to do about it? Turn back time? I can't do that."
She cried. "No, no, no."
"Kitty, please," Gunner said. "Realise that it's over."
"I know," she said but she pounded her fist on his chest. "I swear I'll kill you if you leave me."
"Not all lovers end up together, Kitty, you have to come to terms with that."
Her eyes widened in sorrow. She beat his chest. "I hate you! How can you say that?"
"Come back to earth. It is what it is."
She pushed away from him in defiance. She raised her hand again to hit his chest but her hand stopped halfway. It fell to her side as more tears poured. "I hate you."
"Kitty," Gunner said with all his heart. "I love you."