Page 119 of Tomorrow Belongs to Us
It's just the two of us, but I'm aware that three pairs of ears are listening albeit out of sight. “You didn't need to come and tell me that you got the book.”
“I’ve regretted walking away from you that night, but even if I could change things, I don’t think I would do things differently.”
“I know.” My gaze falls to the scar along his jaw again. “That’s because you always do the right thing.” He's my Lance, and he's here.
“I'm getting ready to move,” I say, confused about his appearance.
“You spoke to Lesley.” It's hope I hear again in his voice.
I nod.
“I'm not the man your mother thinks I am. I'm not the guy you think I am. I don't get involved with my students. It's only ever been Vivian ... and you.”
I know this is the truth. My heart knows.
“Don't walk away.” He's begging me to stay. “Don't walk away because you believe the lies. Walk away if you don't feel anything for me.”
But that's the problem. I feel so much for this man. My mouth turns dry. My insides slowly climb out of the stupor they've been in ever since we broke up. He takes a step closer and now I can smell his cologne. I can feel the low thrum of electricity, the sparks, the fizz and zing of invisible energy that flows between us whenever he's near me.
My skin tingles.
This is what I was afraid of. A reminder of what we are, what we can be. I am tempted to fall into his embrace, to have him hold me and press me to him. It's so familiar and warm, like coming home.
I swallow. “But I'm ... I'm moving away.”
“And?” He sounds unfazed.
“And? We'll be so far apart.”
He smiles.
“What?” I ask.
“You haven't said’ no’. You haven’t said it won’t work, us being together and living so far apart. You haven’t yet pushed me away or made excuses, but you will and I'm prepared.”
I frown at him.
“You can say what you like, Megan. You can swear and cuss and talk about liking hookups and that you like to ... you know ...the f-word.”
Heat sears my cheeks and I shut my eyes. My mother probably heard that. Taking him by the hand, I lead him out and close the door behind us. I walk down the hallway and turn a corner until we're in a small nook. I back away from him into a corner.
“You can say what you want to try to push me away, but the only way I'll walk away is if you look me in the eyes and tell me that you don't have any feelings for me.”
I look up at him, take in his soft, liquid eyes, the curve of his lips, the smooth skin along his cheekbones. I can’t say that to him. He’ll know I’m lying.
“I thought this was a second chance for us, and I wasn’t prepared for Vivian to mess things up. If I have any regret, it’s that I didn’t tell you everything at the start, but I truthfully didn’t expect anything to happen between us. You're so young, and beautiful, and you have a wonderful future ahead of you. I’m still surprised—but grateful—that you were single. I didn't want to be the old man from your past who got in the way.”
I shiver at the description which conjures up an image of a bald and toothless eighty-year-old. “You're not old. Don't ever call yourself an old man.” I raise my fingers and trace along his scar gently, feeling its bumpy outline against my fingertips.
He gives me a sexy grin.
He knows I've given in. Given up. Stopped holding back. He cups my face in that familiar way I love, and I automatically tilt my face against his palm. A knowing glimmer flashes across his eyes. “I love you so much, it’s unreal what I feel for you.”
My heart bursts with happiness. I want to tiptoe up and kiss him. He thumbs my lower lip. “Sometimes you can’t control how things happen, and sometimes you have to grab the moment, and sometimes, you have to fight to make the truth be heard. I don’t expect you to believe me. Why should you? I wouldn’t expect Cassie to blindly follow anything a man said to her. He’d have to prove himself to her first, but Lesley thinks you might believe her.”
I nod.
“If you want … you can … maybe I can get Heidi Byrne to talk to you.”
