Page 67 of Harmony Island Gazette
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered.
He shook his head. “I’m fine.” Then he chuckled. “You should see the other guy.” He slammed his mouth shut as if he’d just realized what he said. “I’m so sorry.”
I shook my head. “Don’t be. Kevin’s an ass. I was a fool to think that he was someone I could have an intelligent conversation with.”
Boone studied me for a moment. My heart trilled as he held my gaze. I’d been so wrong about this man, and I wanted him to know that.
“Boone—”
“How’s the?—”
We both stopped talking at the same time. He studied me before he waved his hand as if to let me continue.
“You first,” I replied. I wasn’t sure how he felt about me—if he felt anything. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship by asking for more. And I didn’t want to tie him down to this small town if he wanted to leave. I was scared.
He smiled at me before his gaze drifted down to my stomach. “Is the baby okay?” he asked, his voice going deep and protective.
There were so many things I wanted to say, but all I could do was nod. “It’s okay.” I offered him a small smile. “I’m ten weeks along.”
He raised his eyebrows before he winced and brought his hand up to gingerly touch his split brow. “Congrats.”
“Thanks.”
Silence fell between us. He glanced around the room and then back at me. “And you? Are you okay?”
I nodded. “I’m okay.”
His gaze drifted to the side of my face that Kevin had struck. It lingered there for a moment before he cursed under his breath and dropped his gaze to the ground. He fisted his hand as he shook his head. “I should have come in earlier.”
“It’s not your fault. I’m just glad you came in when you did.”
He studied me before he glanced out the hospital window. “Still…” He was quiet for a moment. “I should go.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Really?” I didn’t want him to go. I wanted him to stay. I wanted him to know exactly how I felt about him. That I trusted him. That I had been wrong to assume the worst of him.
“I never meant to stay this long.” He gave me a half-hearted smile. “Harmony was never meant to be my home.” He paused. “I don’t belong here.”
My heart broke. I’d known this about him, yet I’d fooled myself into thinking that Boone would change his mind. He was transient. There was nothing holding him here but painful memories. If I cared about him like I professed to, I’d let him go.
I’d let him find his happiness somewhere elsewithsomeone else. My life was complicated, and he deserved something better.
“Okay,” was all I could muster. If I kept speaking, I would break down and beg him not to leave. That was the last thing I wanted to do. Boone should stay because he wanted to. Not because I’d guilted him.
“Okay,” he replied as he studied me for a moment and then nodded. “Goodbye, Juniper,” he whispered.
“Goodbye.”
He gave me one last look before he turned and grabbed the door handle. The sound of the latch engaging filled the silent room. I sobbed as tears began to flow down my cheeks. I buried myself under the covers and cried.
I cried for my previous life. I cried for the person I used to be. I cried for the baby and the broken home I was bringing it into.
I cried for myself. I cried for the fear that coated my body at the thought of doing this all alone. Sure, I had my parents, but this was my choice. This was my baby.
I cried for my broken heart. I cried for losing a friend. Boone knew all my secrets. He saw me at my worst and still stuck around. I cried for the love I had for that man.
But most of all, I cried from the realization that I was never going to see him again. Boone had changed me, and I was never, ever going to be the same.
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