Page 53 of Dreams and Desires

The words slip out before I can stop them, and the mood shifts. The lightness fades, and we’re both reminded of the mess between us. I see regret flash in his eyes, but before he can say anything, I try to change the subject again.

“Did you know the lake nearby is supposed to be haunted?” I ask, trying to sound playful.

Zade’s brow arches. He’s clearly confused. “Haunted by what?”

“A fisherman who drowned there years ago,” I explain. “They say you can hear him singing at night, luring people into the water.”

“And have you ever heard him?” Zade asks, his eyes sparkling.

“No!” I laugh. “But Jacob swears he did once. Probably just to scare me.”

Zade grins, and for a moment, it’s easy to talk, like we’re just two people getting to know each other. We talk about other things—favorite books, places we’ve traveled, silly childhood memories. Somehow, despite everything, I find myself laughing at his jokes, feeling the tension ease just a little.

But then, out of nowhere,He leans in, and everything shifts. The way he looks at me—it’s too steady. Too much. Then he glances at my mouth, and suddenly he’s kissing me. No warning. No buildup. Just heat, fast and real.

For a moment, I get lost in it. The feel of him, the taste of him. But then reality hits me, and I pull back. My chest tightens like I forgot how to breathe for a second.

“I... I can’t,” I stammer, standing up quickly, putting distance between us. “I can’t do this, Zade.”

His eyes widen, and I see the hurt before he quickly hides it with a look of understanding. But there’s something desperate in his eyes. He stands slowly, holding his hands up like he’s trying to calm me down. “Juniper, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you. I just... I couldn’t help it.”

The way he's looking at me, all open and real—it hurts. Hurts like hell. But I can't do this again. I shake my head, trying to hold it together, but my words come out shaky. "You gotta go. Please, Zade. Just—just leave."

"I'm not leaving," he mutters, sounding stubborn about it. Something in the way he says it sends panic straight through me. He steps closer, jaw locked, looking ready to fight for whatever he's holding onto.

“Zade, don’t,” I warn, but he doesn’t back down.

“Juniper, I can’t just walk away from you,” he says, almost desperately. Too desperately. “Not now, not when there’s still something here.”

“There’s nothing here!” I shout, the lie burning my tongue. I can tell he knows it’s not true. But he doesn’t back down. Instead, he closes the distance between us, his hand reaching out to touch my arm.

“Don’t lie to me,” he says softly as his fingers graze my arm. I feel it right away—like a switch flipping on. “You feel it too, don’t you?”

I flinch at his touch, but I can’t pull away. My body betrays me, leaning into him even though my mind screams to run. “It doesn’t matter what I feel,” I manage, my words cracking. “I can’t trust you. I can’t let myself get hurt again.”

He takes a deep breath, his eyes searching mine. “I know I messed up, Juniper. I know I hurt you. But I’m here now, and I’m not leaving until you hear me out. Until you know, I’m serious about making this right.”

I look into his eyes and see the man I once gave a chance—the man who made me believe in something more. But that man is buried under lies and betrayal, and I can’t dig him out. Not now. Maybe not ever.

“Zade, please,” I whisper, stepping back toward the door. “I can’t do this.”

He opens his mouth to respond, but I don’t let him. I turn and rush inside the cabin. My heart.. It beats so fast… It won’t slow down. I slam the door shut, leaning against it, trying to keep the world out.

But he follows, pushing the door open with force. “Juniper, don’t run from this!” he shouts, standing in the doorway, his eyes blazing with intensity.

“I’m not running,” I shout, though we both know it’s a lie. I back away, retreating until my back hits the wall. “Just leave me alone, Zade. Please.”

He steps forward, his expression softening, but the determination in his gaze tells me he’s not letting this go. “Juniper,” he says, almost pleading. “Don’t shut me out. Not like this.”

But I can’t handle it. The emotions, the memories, the hurt—it’s all too much. I shake my head, my vision blurring with tears. “Just... just go,” I whisper. “Please, just go.”

I watch him step back, his shoulders slumping. Relief floods through me, but it’s short-lived when I see him hesitate at the door.

He doesn’t leave.

Instead, he spins back around, staring me down like he's not budging. "No," he tells me, quiet but solid. "I'm staying put."

Chapter Twenty-Seven

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