Page 70 of Jaime
He swallowed.
“I’m not ready,” he choked.
His whole body was shaking.
I closed my arms around Jaime, holding him tightly to me while he fell apart, tears soaking my shoulder.
From what Jaime had told me, Liz had made this arrangement feel more permanent than this. She had dropped Evie off and been out of touch with a warning that she needed space. He’d thought this was forever; otherwise, he wouldn’t call Evie his daughter. For Liz to return so soon... It was messy. That was for sure.
I wished I could help in some way, but all I could do was hold him and wish away the pain.
I stroked Jaime’s back, whispering soothing words.
“It’s not set in stone yet,” I whispered softly. “Just wait and see.”
Liz might not evenwanther baby back. I didn’t want to sound harsh, but it was what Jaime wanted anyway. She’d left her with him for a reason… yes, that didn’t mean it was permanent, but the fact that Jaime seemed convinced that the purpose of her visit was to take Evie back was a bit of a mystery. It could just as easily go the other way.
Jaime shook his head stubbornly, even as tears continued to fall.
“Nothing ever works out for me,” he whispered.
That statement was harder to argue with, even if I didn’t like it. Did that mean he thought our relationship was temporary too?
CHAPTER23
JAIME
I couldn’t helpthe feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. For a couple weeks I’d had it all. Evie, Ethan, and hope for the future.
Now Evie was going to be taken away, and I’d lose track of her and Liz, like I always did. Then Ethan would have enough and move on to his big new job, and I would be back at square one, trying to find my footing all over again.
It took all of my strength to pull myself back together again and keep my mouth shut. I didn’t want Ethan to feel bad. I wanted the best for him and that meant moving on with his career and life. He didn’t need to hold me together forever.
I would figure myself out, somehow. It seemed like an impossible task, but I would manage just like I always had.
For now, I focused on the feeling of his strong hand, stroking my back over the shirt, the feel of his chest rising and falling against mine, the subtle musk of his scent and the scrape of his stubble against my temple.
“God, you’re so wonderful,” I whispered.
He reached for my chin, tilting my face up to meet his so he could kiss me. I sank even further into his touch, feeling soothed for a moment longer.
How did Ethan always seem to know what I needed?
“I’m all yours, Jaime,” he said softly, and my eyes opened, meeting his crisp blue gaze, filled with empathy and what I hoped was love.
“You don’t need to say that,” I whispered. “About the boyfriend thing, I didn’t want to introduce you asjustmy friend, but you don’t need to feel pressured—”
“That’s not it,” he said firmly. “I want it to be official, because I’m not going anywhere.”
He took my face in his hands and looked directly into me.
“Jaime, I love you.”
My heart tripped at his words. It took a moment to steady myself.
“Ethan…”
Suddenly my heart was racing, blood ringing in my ears, hope shooting through me like electricity.
