Page 60 of Love Story

“Okay,” I said quietly, though it wasn’t.Not for me.Not for us.

But what else could I do?“It doesn’t look like nothing.”I hesitated, then rested a hand on his arm.“Ben, talk to me.”

For a long moment, he said nothing and stared out into the darkness.Finally, he whispered, “It was a message from my… from Boston.Just… a reminder that I need to go back.”

His voice cracked on the last word, and my heart ached.

“When?”

“I don’t know.”

Was he lying?I’d seen a man lie to me before—Byron—but Ben didn’t look as if he was lying, he looked sad.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No,” he said, his tone sharper than I expected.His gaze shifted almost immediately, regret flashing across his face.“Sorry.That was… I just… don’t want the real world to mess us up.”

“What does that mean?”I asked, stepping closer.

But he only shook his head, slipping his phone into his pocket.“Nothing.Let’s go back inside.”

“Ben, is there anything you want to tell me?”I couldn’t keep the edge of worry out of my voice.“Is this the trouble you said would find you?”

He stiffened, his hands faltering where they’d been resting lightly on my shoulders.“What do you mean?”he asked too casually, his tone giving him away.

“Are you…” The ghost of Byron loomed large in my mind, his promises and lies replaying on a loop.I hated that doubt could creep in, but I couldn’t ignore the pit in my stomach.“My ex did this, had secrets, and hell, is this your ex wanting you back?Or a family you have that—”

“No,” he said, too fast.“I’m single, I wouldn’t do that to you…”

“But youareholding back on me.”

He was frustrated.“I signed NDAs—”

“I get that—”

“And I’m not like your ex!”

“I don’t want to argue.”

“I don’t either.”

“I never said you were like my ex, but—”

“You mean so much to me,” he said, and it felt like such a small thing compared to me expressing my desire for forever with him.Then he cradled my face in his hands, pressing his lips to mine, and I kissed him back, allowing the warmth of his touch to ease some of the tension that had built in my chest.

He’s not Byron.I trust him.

His forehead rested against mine when he pulled back, and his voice was a whisper.“Please, don’t let my mood ruin tonight.I’m happy.You’re happy.Can’t that be enough right now?”

“But whoever messaged you—”

“Ignore it.Please.”

His words were a plea, and I felt the crack in my resolve.I wanted to press him, to ask all the questions swirling in my head, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.Not when he stared at me as if I was the only thing holding him together.

“Okay,” I said and brushed a strand of hair back from his face.

“If it helps, I can imagine being with you forever, Sam Caldwell.”

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