Page 51 of Protect My Heart
I look back at him, my heart aching, wishing I could be with Jason. Wishing things were different. Wishing there was a way for us to be together, or at least have a chance to try.
‘Jason, we can’t—’
‘Yeah, I know,’ he says, looking down. He pulls away from me and gets out of bed.
‘It’s not that I don’t want to stay. It’s just—’
‘You don’t have to explain,’ he says. ‘I shouldn’t have said it. I know you have to go.’
He says it without any emotion, like he just flipped a switch and turned off the feelings he was expressing just moments ago. I understand why. I’m trying to shut off my feelings too. I’ve been trying to all day, without success. The more time I spend with Jason, the more I feel for him.
We get dressed and Jason walks me out to my car.
‘Call me when you get there,’ he says as he puts my suitcase in the trunk. ‘So I know you made it.’
‘I will.’ I open the car door.
‘Mia, wait.’ Jason pulls me in for a hug. ‘I’ll see you next weekend, right? You’re not going to change your mind, are you?’
‘No, I’ll be here.’ I smile and pull away from him. ‘I’ll see you Saturday.’
‘Why don’t you come on Friday? I need a date for the rehearsal dinner.’
‘A date?’ I ask, my brows rising.
‘Not a date. Someone to go with. Will you do it?’
‘Can I stay with you again?’
‘Of course.’
‘Then yes, I’ll go to the rehearsal dinner with you.’
‘Thanks.’ He gives me another hug. ‘Have a safe trip. And remember to let me know you’re home.’
‘I will. Bye, Jason.’
On the drive back, I keep thinking about what we did, telling myself we shouldn’t have done it but not regretting that it happened. I’m so confused right now. I thought seeing Jason again would convince me that the night we shared was nothing more than two strangers having a fun time at a wedding followed by a night of great sex. But the truth is, Jason and I really are good together, even outside the bedroom. We have similar values, similar goals, and we’re comfortable with each other.
Jason’s a great guy and he’ll make a great father for our baby. I just wish he could be more than that. I wish we could try being a couple, but since we can’t, I’ll just be grateful he’s a good person with a good family who I know will be the best father he can be.
Chapter 12
Mia
‘You didn’t tell him?’ Nora says, her voice so loud that the people around us heard and are now staring at us.
It’s Sunday morning and we’re having brunch at our favorite place by campus.
‘Would you keep your voice down?’ I whisper.
She glances at the table next to ours and smiles at the older couple. ‘Sorry. My friend’s hard of hearing.’
They give me a sympathetic look, then go back to eating their breakfast.
‘Why didn’t you tell him?’ Nora asks.
‘Because his brother is getting married next weekend and I didn’t want to take attention away from the wedding. I’ll wait until it’s over and then I’ll tell him.’
