“Failure.” The word popped out, and he instantly wanted to wrangle it back in, because the spark in Simone’s amber eyes vanished like a doused flame. “What?” Her voice went flat, like hammered steel. A tone he recognized as the same phony apathy he used to disguise big feelings when they threatened to break free. He’d hurt her, and he hated himself for it. But with the ease of someone with a knack for making bad situations worse, he said, “I bet you’re terrified of failing. I bet your whole existence hinges on the image of success, of being on top, and without it, you’re nothing.”
Book:Stirring Up Love