Page 81 of Bear's Heart

He drew a slow breath, trying to calm his nerves.“So you know.”

“More than everyone thinks I know.”She glanced at him, her expression cool.

His lashes dropped.“Has something happened?”

She gave him a long cool look.“You tell me.It seems like we were doing well until you and my mom had coffee.That must have been some crazy coffee for you to kick me out of your house.Practically the same day.”

“Your mom gave me a lot to think about.She made me realize that you are young, and you have dreams, and it wasn’t fair to trap you—”

“Stop,” she cried, hitting the dashboard.“Let me out.I’d rather walk home than listen to this.It’s insulting, Bear.”

Bear braked hard and pulled over to the side of the narrow ranch road.“I have no desire to insult you.”

“You know, for a smart man, you can be incredibly stupid.Trapped?Trapped with you?Trapped with the man I adored?The man I admired?The man I loved?How is that trapped?”

“There are other men who could probably give you—”

“No!”she cried, cutting him short.“I can’t do this again.Can’t listen to this again.”She turned on the seat and faced him.“If this is indeed our last conversation ever, be straight with me.Respect me enough to tell me the truth.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Why did you meet Mom?”

“She called and asked me to.”

“And you didn’t think you should tell me?”

“I wasn’t sure what to think.”

“And what did she tell you when you met for coffee?”Josie’s voice cracked.“It certainly couldn’t have been complimentary.”

“She wanted better for you.More for you.And after thinking about it—”

“In your bedroom, in the dark?”

“She was right.You deserve the world, and I can’t give it to you.”

Tears filled Josie’s eyes.“Did I ever ask for the world?How did I overwhelm you with my needs?”

“No.You didn’t.”

“Then why kick me out like that?Why treat me like I was nothing… like I was garbage on trash day?”

“It wasn’t like that, Josie.It was never like that.I love you, but my love won’t be enough.”

“Says who?My mom?My dad?Rye?”

“This isn’t about them.It’s about you and me.”

“Yes, it is.So, you kicked me out because you don’t—and can’t—love me.That’s what you said the next morning when I returned to the house.That you don’t love me.That you’ll never feel the way I feel for you.”Her furious gaze held his.“Is that true?”

“No.”He swallowed, shook his head.“That was a lie.”

“What are the other lies?”

“I don’t know if there are other lies.I just know that I did not want to fall in love with you, that I resisted loving you, but I couldn’t help loving you.I’ve loved you for months.I love everything about you.”

“And you believe there is someone else out there who is better for me?”

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