Page 56 of Jaime
“It’s not that bad,” I said, then laughed at the look he gave me. “Okay, it is. But it’s part of your story too. Nothing wrong with scars.”
The moment the words left my mouth, the brightness in his eyes dimmed, and his lips twitched downwards.
“I’m going to miss you,” he whispered.
I swallowed.
“I’ll only be gone for two days,” I reminded him.
He looked away.
“Yeah, I know.”
Reaching up, I tilted his chin toward me, forcing him to meet my gaze.
“What are you afraid of?” I asked. “Do you not think I’m coming back on Sunday?”
“It’s not that,” he said softly.
Suddenly, without a word from him, I thought I understood. This was about me moving away. I was only going to LA to see about making the move permanent.
The idea of leaving Jaime behind made my entire body itch. I couldn’t do it. But he didn’t know that. And he wouldn’t until I proved it to him.
I leaned in, pressing my lips to his.
He took the kiss desperately, pouring more emotion into the touch than I had ever felt and I met each fear he held with reassurance and confidence, trying to show him with my lips how much I was there to meet him halfway.
When we finally parted, his eyes were less scared.
“I’m not going to disappoint you,” I whispered. “You’ll see.”
My words seemed to trouble him, making his brows draw lightly together before he let out a soft sigh and smiled.
“I know, Ethan,” he said gently. “You’re different.”
I’d always strived to make a difference but never had I felt so fueled to be a better person and a better man than with this man in my arms.
No matter what my decision was, I didn’t want to let Jaime down.
CHAPTER19
JAIME
Ethan wokeme up with a kiss to say goodbye in the morning. He was already dressed, smelling clean, his hair still damp, and scruff shaved.
“I have to head out to beat the traffic.”
“Okay,” I whispered sleepily.
He kissed me again while I stretched and somehow I managed not to fall into a depressed slump until after he was gone.
Ethan leaving was like the first stroke to the end. I knew that, despite whatever he told me.
I’d seen enough in life to not be much of an optimist.
First, he would go, see the amazing studio and life he could have in the big city. Then he would suggest something that wouldn’t work, like long distance or commuting. We would drag this on for a bit longer if we were lucky. Then one of us would think it wasn’t worth the effort and end it. And that would definitely be Ethan, because I was ready to cling to him until the bitter end.
Hours later, a knock on my door made me realize that I was gazing blankly at the TV while it played random shows for toddlers.
