Page 123 of Captivated

But he could still feel those hands.

It should be easy to say goodbye.They’d only known each other two weeks, for God’s sake.Then why do I ache?

“I don’t know how to do this,” Nate said at last.

Zeeb stared at him, his brown eyes suddenly guarded. “Do what?”

“Leave.”

Leave you.The words trembled on Nate’s tongue.

Zeeb didn’t smile. “I know. If it helps, this is one of the hardest goodbyes I’ve ever had.” He paused. “Let me fix this for you.” He circled Nate’s wrist with the bracelet, tying the ends together. Their fingers brushed, and Nate had a feeling that was deliberate.

“You helped me find myself.” Tears pricked the corners of Nate’s eyes. “You didn’t push. You just… stayed.” He swallowed. “Thank you.”

Zeeb’s smile was back. “You made it easy to stay.”

Nate leaned forward and wrapped Zeeb in a hug that was both too short and too long. Zeeb’s arms enfolded him, holding him close, solid and quiet.

Then they pulled back, and Nate couldn’t bring himself to say goodbye.

It felt too final.

“I’d better go. Thank the others, will you? Especially Robert and Sol.”

“I will.” Zeeb walked with him out of the stable and over to his car. Nate unlocked the door.

“Wait!”

He stilled. “Have I forgotten something?”

Zeeb’s face was flushed. “I meant to ask you a question, only it never seemed the right moment.”

Nate’s breathing quickened. “Then you’d better ask it now.”

Zeeb swallowed. “How come you don’t have someone special?” Nate blinked, but Zeeb surged ahead. “You’re an amazing man, Nate Caldwell. Any guy would be lucky to have you in his life.”

Nate smiled. “Thanks for the compliment. And to answer your question, I guess that’s because of the therapy.”

Zeeb frowned. “What do you mean?”

Nate shrugged. “It’s been a part of my life since I was in the youth home. And yes, it’s helped me find a voice for my pain, but it can only go so far.” His face tightened. “There are still a few things I struggle with.”

“Like what?”

He exhaled. “Intimacy. Self-worth.” He looked Zeeb in the eye. “You want to know why I’ve never had a romantic relationship? Because I convinced myself I was too broken to love—or be loved.” Another shrug. “So I throw myself into my work. My paintings became a silent outlet for all the emotions I couldn’t express in words. I guess you could say my art became my voice, but it was also a shield. A way to keep others at arm’s length.”

“And now? Is that how you still feel?”

Nate’s heartbeat raced. “No, it’s not. And that’s because of you, Zeeb. You don’t see me as broken, do you?”

Zeeb’s eyes were warm. “No, I surely don’t.”

Nate smiled. “And that’s why wewilltalk again. Soon. I promise.” He got behind the wheel and switched the engine on. As he backed out of the space, he glanced at the rear-view mirror to where Zeeb stood, watching.

You’re pretty amazing too, Zeeb.

He pulled onto the long curving driveway that led to the road.

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