Page 56 of Sophia & Cameron

There was that word again. Cameron had said he loved her. She’d wanted to believe it. She’d wanted to tell him she loved him, too. But something had held her back. It was like she was scared doing so would give him a piece of her heart she’d never get back.

“Just… talk to him. Okay?” Roman pleaded.

Sophia wanted to assure her brother that his words had helped, but she couldn’t do that either. Nothing would fix this. And the fact that Cameron was here without first doing what she’d asked meant he hadn’t heard her when they’d last spoken.

Roman rose from the bed at the same time as she did. When he moved to follow her down the stairs, she held up a hand. The last thing she wanted was for him to witness her severing the ties that connected her heart to Cameron’s. It was for the best. And no number of second, third, or fiftieth chances was going to change that.

Sophia found Cameron sitting on the porch with his head in his hands. His hair was mussed so much it looked like he’d been tossed into a tornado. He snapped to his feet the second he heard the door shut.

Based on the bags under his eyes and the look of utter exhaustion on his face, she’d have to guess he hadn’t slept at all last night.

Turned out they could still have something in common.

She grasped her hands at her back and stayed next to the door. She told herself it was because she wanted a quick escape if things went south, but the truth was more depressing. All she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms and beg him to agree to her terms so they could be together again.

Sophia’s hands itched to run through his hair. Her arms ached to wrap around his neck. She needed to kiss him, to assure not only him but also herself that everything would be okay.

But it wouldn’t.

“Sophia,” he rasped, taking a step closer.

She gave a sharp shake of her head and was relieved when he remained on the step where he stood. Her legs trembled but not as much as her voice. “We can’t keep doing this to ourselves,” she whispered.

He stepped closer again but then stopped himself. “I know you’re upset. We both were?—”

“This goes further than just being upset.” Sophia fought the tears that threatened to spill again. “This is me finally accepting that the only way we’re going to have a chance to come out ofthis as better people is if we work on ourselves. We can’t do that when we’re together.”

“What are you saying?”

She shut her eyes to fight the mounting frustration. Forcing her voice to remain level, she said softly, “You know what I’m saying. I said it as plainly as I could yesterday.” She opened her eyes, and a tear tumbled down her cheek. “We’re toxic when we’re together. We’re jealous and maybe a little vindictive. Honestly, I’m surprised we lasted as long as we have.”

“Those were just bad days,” Cameron attempted with a broken voice. “I’ll do better.”

Sophia shook her head. That’s just it. I want you to do better, but you can’t when you’re so focused on me.” This time she moved to the edge of the porch so they were eye-to-eye, with him a step lower. “We need to break things off.”

Cameron reached for her hand, and she let him. He laced his fingers between hers, staring at the way they were connected when he whispered, “I can’t live without you. We’re meant to be together. I know it in my heart.”

“Maybe.”

He lifted hopeful eyes to her, but he must have seen the resignation on her face because that hope was decimated in a matter of seconds.

“But not right now. We both have to work on ourselves first.”

Muscles feathered in his jaw as he continued to stare up at her. For a moment, she expected him to lash out, to yell at her, scream, throw a tantrum like he had at the park. But he didn’t. Cameron simply released her hand and took a step down to put space between them. “So this is what you want. To be free of me.”

No. She didn’t want that. Sophia wanted Cameron more than she’d wanted anyone else—even more than she’d wanted Brent. But she couldn’t say that now. She couldn’t give Cameron anyreason to believe that there was another option beyond this breakup. In her heart, she knew they both needed this space. They needed to heal that broken part of their souls that made it so difficult to have a healthy relationship.

Then maybe, when enough time had passed, they would find each other.

She wrung her hands before her as she watched him shake his head and retreat even farther. The distance didn’t just come physically. She could sense it emotionally, too. He was breaking. So was she.

And maybe this was like setting a broken bone. They needed to break one more time before they could be set right and heal properly.

“Goodbye, Cameron,” she whispered. He probably didn’t hear her.

Sophia’s eyes followed him as he stalked toward his truck. He shut his door with far too much strength, and she winced. Then he peeled out of the driveway and his truck disappeared from view.

He still had a contract. They’d still have to work together.

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