Page 78 of The Rancher's Unrequited Love
"Talk to me, baby."
Oh God.
I really thought I'd never hear him say that again, and my chest feels like it's about to burst.
"Have you figured things out?"
"N-no."
"That's fine."
"It'snotfine," I choke out. "What if I never figure things out?"
"You will."
He sounds so confident I want to believe him. I want to believe him so badly, but...
"I'm a mess."
"You mean you've reached a crossroad in your life."
"I might want to quit my job."
"As long as it makes you happy."
"I haven't even broken up with Jack—-"
"That pisses me off," Aidan acknowledges.
I can't help holding my breath, feeling like there's abutcoming...
"But we both know he's never been the issue between us."
I want to laugh and cry. Only Aidan, of course...only someone perfect like Aidan could actually say that the fact I still have a boyfriend doesn't matter, and the craziest thing about it is that every word he's said is true.
Jack is a problem, but he's never beentheissue between us. Perfection has always been within reach, and the sun has always been mine for the taking, and I...
"I'm just so scared, Aidan," I whisper.
"I know."
"I'm used to guys like you dumping me."
"But am I really like them? Are they as hot as me? As handsome as me? As—-"
And it finally happens. I'm laughing and crying, and oh God, I'm still so scared, but more than that...
I think...
I think I already know what I want.
I'm almost sure of it.
And that's why I hear myself say...
"One last thing."
"It can be a thousand things..." I can hear the smile in Aidan's voice as he speaks. "But it won't make a difference." And now I'm hearing something else. Something so magical that my heart races and breaks all at the same time—-
