Page 50 of Keeping Mr. Sweet

“Yeah. Summer wouldn’t have a bar of it. Sent them on their way. She’s intent of driving him batshit crazy herself.”

“She just wants him to be okay.” We all do.

“I don’t think he can take much more. A few more days and he’ll be home, I expect. He asked me to tell you to leave before he comes home.” He shrugs, like it’s not a big deal.

“No. I’m not going anywhere.” I stare Ru down, challenging him to argue with me on this. I’ve always allowed myself to get swept away by all the bad things that could happen if I stay. I’ve told myself that hoping for a future with him was opening myself up to losing him. Like I lost my mother, like he lost his dad. I let myself believe that loving him would mean I would ultimately hurt him. That it would only bring pain and regret, because they’re the only emotions that last when it comes to the heart. I’ve told myself it would be worse to fight for love than to pretend it didn’t exist.

But there’s worse. Almost losing Sam was so much worse. Leaving him is something I can no longer do.

“Told him you’d say that,” Ru says. “I told him he’d have to tell you himself.”

“Did you?”

“The man is hurting physically and emotionally. He almost died. That’s got to take a toll.” Ru starts to putter around the kitchen, checking that everything is ready for the next shift. “Maybe he isn’t so sure about what he wants, you know? Maybe he’s just trying to protect himself.”

“I have to speak to him.” Even if it’s only to have him tell me one more time that we’re over. An idea I can’t even begin to stomach. I set my jaw. “I have to try.”

“Good girl,” Ru says, coming to stand beside me. “Now where are we up to with that order?”

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