Page 9 of Enamored with the Mountain Man

“I love you, too, Chase.”

We kissed goodbye one last time, and then she got into her car and started the engine. As she backed out, she blew me a kiss, and then she was off, driving down the road.

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces at my feet.

I couldn’t let her go.

I could never let her go.

So I took off running down the street, yelling and screaming as I chased her car.

CHAPTER SIX

Lainey

Tears streamed down my cheeks,dripping off my chin and soaking my shirt.

I’m such an idiot. I’m such a fucking idiot.

I told myself I could do this, and here I was, leaving with a broken heart after I had given it to the sweetest man without even trying.

I slowed the car down, unable to see well with the flood of tears pouring from them when I heard noise from behind me. Looking in the rearview mirror, I spotted Chase running after me, his arms waving in the air.

That can’t be right. Was I so heartbroken I was seeing things?

Pulling over to the side of the road, I put the car in park and wiped my eyes. I checked the mirror once more, and nope, I wasn’t seeing things. Chase really was running up to my car.

I killed the engine and quickly exited the car. “What are you doing?”

“Lainey,” Chase said between pants of breath. “I can’t…I can’t…” He bent forward, resting his hands on his knees as he gulped down air.

I stood there helpless, more tears slipping down my cheeks, as I tried to figure out what the hell to do.

“I can’t let you go,” Chase said as he stood and closed the distance between us. He took my hands in his as his own tears fell. “I love you so much. Please stay, Lainey. I know what you said. But don’t you see how we’re so perfect for each other? We can create our own family, grow a huge farm together, maybe get some cows and chickens, and live happily ever after.”

I cried harder and shook my head. I loved him so much, but how could I give up everything I’d worked so hard for? If he loved me, he’d understand. But if I loved him, I needed to sacrifice too.

“I love you so much too, Chase. But it’s not that simple. My studio, my apartment…I need to figure a lot of things out.”

“We can figure them out together. If we really love each other, we can make it work. We can make anything work.” He kissed my hands as more tears fell between the two of us.

Words failed me as my thoughts went into overdrive, like a high-speed freight train destined to crash. Silence fell between us, an unspoken conversation of what-ifs and who knows and everything else life could throw at us.

After a few minutes, Chase spoke. “I’m sorry, Lainey. I’m being selfish.” He let go of my hands and took a step backward. “I can’t ask you to give up your life. What am I saying?” He turned away but then turned back, so much pain etched across his handsome features. In one swift movement, he moved toward me once more, grabbed my face between his hands, and devoured my lips in an intense kiss I’d remember for the rest of my life.

And then he walked away, taking my heart with him.

I climbed backinside my car and watched him walk away in the rear window as sobs overtook me, leaving me shaking and crying.

My heart was torn, pulled in two very different directions, and I was at a loss of what to do.

When Chase was no longer in view, I sobbed more and shook my head.How could I be so stupid?

I grabbed my phone and dialed the only person I thought might be able to help.Caitlin.

“Hi, babes! Are you headed back to the city?” Her cheery voice filtered through my phone’s speaker.

“Caitlin, I don’t know what to do,” I cried.

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