Page 22 of Puppy Love

“You can’t,” I say, kissing him quickly. “Dinner is done.”

He wraps his arms around me from behind and kisses the side of my head. “Glad I had my dessert first.”

I laugh and turn my head to look at him. “Me too.”

“I wanted to talk to you about something,” he says, stepping away from me.

I grab the plates out of the cabinet and hand him one. “Okay, what’s up?”

“Let’s talk while we eat,” he says.

My brows dip as I look at his face. He looks uncertain and that’s something I’ve never seen before. My stomach flips and for the first time since he walked through my door, I’m nervous.

We get our plates made and sit down at the small dining table. I’m no longer hungry as I wait for him to tell me what’s going on.

“Please, Jayden, don’t say something like that and make me wait,” I say.

He grins and reaches for my hand across the table. “It’s not bad, baby.”

Relief floods me and I nod, blowing out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“I was offered a new job. It pays more than double what I’m making now. They will give us housing money also. So, I accepted the offer,” he says, smiling.

“That’s amazing, congratulations,” I say, beaming with pride. But it slowly slips away and my eyebrows dip. “Wait, why would you get housing money? You live here.”

“Oh, that’s the best part. It’s back in California.”

I stare at him, completely stunned by his statement.

“Are you serious?” I ask.

His brows dip as his slightly tilts his head. “Yes, why?”

A hallow laugh escapes me as I shake my head. “Why? Are you fucking kidding? I’m not leaving. This is my home.”

“Cambri, I know that. I know it would be difficult to leave, but we’ll be gaining so much more. You won’t need to work at the shitty diner, and we can find a place that is both of ours,” he says.

I look up at the ceiling trying to keep my tears from falling. He’s leaving. I’m losing him and Ace. I’m losing my family.

I turn my sadness into anger and look back toward him. “The shitty diner I work at has supported me for years. I don’t need to live an extravagant life. I don’t want that, but clearly you do.” I get up and grab my plate, tossing it into the sink. I hear it shatter, just like my heart. “When do you leave?”

“Cambri,” he says, reaching for me.

I pull away, crossing my arms. “When?” I yell.

“Two weeks,” he whispers.

I nod, fighting back the tears. “Good luck.”

I rush to my room and slam the door, all while he calls my name. I lock it and sink down on the floor in front of it.

No one stays.

They all leave.

I don’t know why I thought he’d be any different.

Chapter 8

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