Page 35 of Letters From a Broken Heart
I run to the bedroom to get changed while he puts away the leftovers from our lunch. When he walks in the room, I have on a tank top and a pair of leggings. His attention immediately goes to my chest and I realize this is probably the first time he’s really seen it well.
“Is it awful?” I ask as I watch him carefully. I know it isn't pretty.
“Do you know what I think of when I see this scar?” He peeks up at me through his lashes looking far more swoon worthy than should be allowed.
“What?”
“I see how hard the woman I love fought to stay with me. I think about how strong you are and with you by my side, we can get through anything. I think to myself, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on and I'm the luckiest man in the world because I get to call you mine.”
“Easton,” I whisper as tears fill my eyes. He’s so sweet and perfect. I don’t know how he’s finally mine.
“The only thing awful about this scar…” he lets his fingertips trail down my sternum, making me suck in a sharp breath. “Is knowing it caused you weeks of pain.”
“You promise you don’t hate it? It’s not ugly?”
“Nah, baby. Nothing could taint how I see you. Every time I look at you, I see my future and no scar could change that.”
The entire weekend, we didn’t leave the house, other than our walk. We stayed wrapped up in each other and ignored the world outside. It was the best weekend of my life.
“I want to take you out on a nice date this weekend.” Easton’s leaning against the counter as he lifts his coffee cup to his lips. He’s dressed in a suit, making him look absolutely drool worthy.
“You don’t need to do that. We can just stay home.” I wave him off as I shove a spoonful of cereal into my mouth. Milk dribbles down my chin and onto the island counter, making him chuckle.
“Baby,” he murmurs as he closes the distance. He leans his forearms on the island, leaning in so his face is only a few inches away from mine. “I can't control how he treated you, but I can make sure I treat you correctly. I will take you out on romantic dates. I will make you feel like you’re the most important woman in the entire world, because you are. I’ll make sure no other man will ever be able to capture your attention because you know I treat you better than they’ll ever be able to. Do you understand me?”
I swallow hard and nod my head, never removing my gaze from his. Sometimes I have a hard time remembering this is real and Easton’s mine. When I wake up in the morning and find him lying next to me, I always think it’s a dream. One I don’t want to wake up from.
“Good girl.” He stands to his full height again. “And when we get home from our date, I’ll curl up with you in bed.” He smirks over the rim of his coffee cup and winks at me.
“That sounds nice,” I squeak out, making him laugh.
“Are you staying here while I go to this meeting?”
“No, I should probably go home.” I frown down at my bowl.
“Yeah, you should go home.”
My eyes snap to him and I frown. He nods his head in agreement and pretends he doesn’t realize I'm angry, but he does. I know it.
“You should go home so you can pack a bag or two.”
“You know, you can be a real jerk sometimes,” I grumble, making him laugh again.
“I'm going to miss you today. I liked our little weekend away from the real world. I wish it didn’t need to end.” He meets my gaze and lets his vulnerability shine through.
I love how Easton doesn’t try to hide how he feels from me. He’s always raw and vulnerable, letting me see the deepest parts of his soul.
As I think about it, I realize he’s always been like that. He’s never tried to build a wall between us, even when I deserved it.
“What’s wrong?” I ask softly as I take a seat on the couch next to Easton.
It’s been almost a week since I last saw him and that’s basically unheard of in my life. He’s always there. Always smiling at me from across the room and stealing away time with me.
Yet, since he found out Jack and I were dating, he’s stayed away. It’s like I lost one of the most important people in my life and I don’t like it one bit. I’d rather be single than lose Easton’s friendship.
“Nothing. You don’t need to worry about me.” He shifts, putting some more space between us.
My heart falls when I realize he doesn’t want me here. He was avoiding me on purpose and I have a feeling this is my new normal, but why? Why is he mad at me? He had so many chances to ask me out if he wanted to. So many times, we were alone together and he could’ve confessed any feelings he had for me.
