Page 21 of Honey for the Bear

I can’t keep hiding here.

Earl’s right.Hannah deserves honesty.She deserves more than I’ve given her.

But the thought of facing her again, of admitting everything I’ve been too afraid to say, twists something in my chest.

What if she doesn’t forgive me?

What if I’ve already lost her?

The bear growls low in my chest, restless and impatient, and I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

“I’ll fix this,” I say aloud, the words more for myself than anyone else.

And for the first time in days, I feel a flicker of hope.

***

Thenextmorning,I’mat the farmers market before it even opens, the familiar hum of activity buzzing in the air.Vendors are setting up their stalls, the scent of fresh produce and baked goods mingling with the crisp morning air.

I spot Hannah’s stand before I see her, the jars of honey glinting in the sunlight like liquid gold.My chest tightens at the sight, memories of her laughter and the way she looked at me flashing through my mind.

Then I see her.

She’s arranging jars on the table, her movements quick and efficient, but I notice a tension in her shoulders that wasn’t there before.

I take a deep breath, my hands clenching into fists at my sides.This is it.

“Hannah,” I say, my voice loud enough to carry over the bustle of the market.

She freezes, her hand hovering over a jar, and then she turns to face me.Her eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.

“Cameron,” she says, her voice even but guarded.

I step closer, the distance between us feeling like a chasm.“Can we talk?”

She hesitates, her gaze flicking to the customers milling around the market, and then she nods.“Okay.”

We move to the side, away from the crowd, and I take a deep breath, the weight of what I’m about to say pressing down on me.

“I’m sorry,” I begin, my voice low but steady.“For everything.For lying, for running, for hurting you.”

She crosses her arms over her chest, her expression unreadable.“Why did you do it, Cameron?Why didn’t you trust me?”

“I was scared,” I admit, the words tumbling out before I can stop them.“Scared of what you’d think, scared of losing you.But mostly, I was scared of myself.Of what I am.”

Her gaze softens slightly, but she doesn’t interrupt.

“I’ve spent my whole life keeping people at arm’s length,” I continue, my voice breaking.“Because it’s easier than letting them see the parts of me I don’t want to face.But with you, it’s different.You make me want to be better.You make me want...everything.”

She blinks, her eyes shining with unshed tears, and I take a step closer, my heart pounding.

“I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.“But I’m asking for it anyway.Because I can’t keep running from you, Hannah.I don’t want to.”

The silence stretches between us, heavy and charged, and then she takes a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing.

“I was never afraid of you, Cameron,” she says softly.“I was afraid you didn’t trust me.But if you’re willing to try, so am I.”

Relief floods through me, and I step closer, reaching for her hand.She lets me take it, her fingers warm and steady in mine.

---