Page 32 of Leif

“I mean, we’ve spent a week together. We’re not married or anything. Hell, we’re not even dating. We’ve made no promises, and you’re offering to support me until I can get on my feet? How crazy is that?” As I spoke, my voice gained heat and volume until I was nearly yelling.

“I know you well enough. Do you need promises? I’ll make you one right now.” His eyes met mine, his expression suddenly tight. “I promise to be the friend you need, the man you want, and the one you love.If you’ll give me a chance.”

I froze.

Surely, I heard him wrong.

He stared at me a moment as the silence stretched out between us. Then, without another word, he got up and left the room, leaving me alone with thoughts that begged, cried, and screamed for me to jump up and follow him.

But I didn’t listen.

Instead, I stared after him, stunned and confused by what he’d just said. What the heck just happened? Did he just promise to be the man I fell in love with? If I’d only give him a chance?

No way.

And he was wrong; he didn’t know me well enough to make promises like that. Because we were still in the beginning of the dating phase, where all we shared were the best parts of ourselves. He hadn’t seen me at my worst, so how could he think he could even handle me then?

I got to my feet and chased him, ready to tell him how wrong he was.

Hitch, sitting up on the couch like he’d been disturbed out of a nap, met my gaze, then pointed. I nodded and continued on the warpath, chasing down Leif.

I’d never chased down a man before.

Actually, I was pretty sure I’d never chased anyone down before. Which was likely why I didn’t have many friends and none that were close. And I’d never felt lonely before. But now, with Leif gone, I felt lonely. Still, frustration poured out of me like steam out of a teakettle.

I caught up to Leif in the back yard, heading into the woods. “That was a dick move, you know. Playing with my emotions and head like that.”

He went still, his shoulders squaring before he turned around. My heart thundered in my chest as a cold chuckle broke from him. Then he closed the gap between us so quickly I took a step back. He seemed to consider his words for a second before meeting my gaze and speaking.

“You think I was playing with your emotions? I just told you that I’d be the friend you need, the man you want, the one you love if you would just give me a chance.” He shoved a hand through his hair, his brows knitting together before he glanced out across the woods. “You can’t even give me a chance. But you’re right. I’m the one playing with your emotions.”

And just like that, he was gone, vanished into limbo and leaving me to hug myself in the chilly air.

16

Leif

Istood there as she stared after me, her arms wrapping protectively around herself. There was no way I’d walk away; I wanted to be close to her, but I’d be lying if I said that her response to my declaration hadn’t stung.

I meant every damn word

I moved in close to her, so close I could reach out and touch her, if I could contact her from limbo.

And she reached out with one hand. “You’re still here, aren’t you?”

I froze.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. I just want you to know I’m sorry. You surprised me is all.” Her lips curved into a beautiful smile that made her glowing form brighten somehow. “And maybe you scared me.”

She took a deep, shuddering breath. “I want you to come back. Please.”

I phased back, and her hand cupped my cheek. I leaned into her and pressed my lips to her palm, loving how perfectly beautiful and sweet she looked as her brown eyes locked on me. Pulling her into my arms, I pressed my lips to her forehead before whispering against her soft skin. “I’m here as long as you want me to be. No matter what.”

“We both are.”

She glanced over her shoulder at Hitch, who gave an apologetic smile and a slight lift of one shoulder. “I mean, in different ways. I’m gonna love you more like a mom than a… well… you know.” His cheeks went bright red, and Mel giggled in my arms.

“I know what you mean.” She opened her arms to him, and he stepped right in. We stood there together as the world around us faded into a beautiful old forest. Time began to move forward, and flowers sprouted and bloomed before melting away as the rains started. Leaves turned brilliant yellows and fiery oranges before fluttering down around us.

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