Page 45 of Best Kept Vows

Sebastian followed, leaning against the doorframe as I pulled out a small suitcase. I heard him exhale raggedly like he was physically forcing himself to stay calm.

“I know this is hard for you.” I unzipped the suitcase and laid it on the bed.

“Yeah,” he admitted, his voice rough. “It’s killing me.”

My hands stilled for a moment before I forced myself to keep moving. I wasn’t leaving for good. I wasn’t giving up on us. But even knowing that, my stomach twisted painfully as I folded some clothes and placed them in the suitcase.

Sebastian stepped into the room and sat on the edge of the bed, watching me. “I want to tell you not to go,” he admitted. “I want to beg you to stay.”

I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “Sebastian, honey?—”

“I won’t do it.” He ran a hand over his face, his shoulders tense. “I understand why you need this.”

He did?How could he whenIwasn’t sure why I needed this?

I kept my focus on the task at hand before I caved in and rushed into his arms again, but that wouldn’t solve what was broken between us.

“I don’t want this to hurt you.” I knew they were mere words that couldn’t soothe the pain I saw etched on his face.

He gave a short, humorless laugh. “Too late for that.”

I closed my eyes briefly before reaching for another shirt to fold. “I’m hurting, too. You know that, don’t you?”

“I know.” He drew in an unsteady breath. “I hate that the most.”

I packed my toiletries as well, and finally, when I zipped my suitcase, I felt drained.

When I turned to face him, his gaze was already on me, full of sadness and a tenderness I hadn’t expected.

“I…I packed enough for a couple of months.” I gave him that. Gave it to myself as well.

“Okay.” He pressed his lips into a thin line.

“I came by Uber last night. My car’s still at Savannah Lace.”

“I’ll take you.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. Not that I wanted to argue. I wanted more time with him. This felt so final…so…wrong, and yet, it also felt right,for me.

We didn’t talk much on the drive over. Halfway there, he reached for my hand, and I took it—our fingers lacing together with the ease of old habit. My heart ached as I gave his hand a soft squeeze, and he squeezed back, saying everything we didn’t have words for.

When he pulled up in front of Savannah Lace, he put the car in park but didn’t move. Neither did I.

“I’m going to call you every day,” he said finally, his voice steady.

I smiled through the ache in my heart. “I’ll always pick up.”

Sebastian turned toward me fully then, his expression raw. “I don’t know how to do this without you, Lia.”

I swallowed against the lump in my throat and leaned forward, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his lips. He cupped my face, deepening it just slightly before pulling back.

“You won’t have to,” I whispered. “This is just…us getting better?” It came out as a question rather than a statement.

“I want to say I don’t understand how we do that without being together, but…I get it. You need space. You have always taken care of everyone else. Now, you need to take care ofyourself.”

My eyes filled.What the hell was I doing?

“Go, baby,” Sebastian urged his voice tight with emotion. “I’ll be waiting for you, okay? This isusworking through our…shit.”

I gave him a watery laugh. “Promise?”

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