Page 68 of Finally Forever
“Geez. You would make one hell of a Miss America.”
She laughs. “I can’t take all the credit. My mother is incredible. Nathan’s mom is, too. They were big influences on me. That helps.”
“I bet it does.” My mom’s influence was more of the do-better, be-better kind. We weren’t close ever, but I wouldn’t say she was a weak woman, just a miserable one. “If I’m not down when Riley arrives, could you text me, please?”
“Of course.”
I head for my room, grateful to have met her and that she’s here. I’m not used to people caring for me other than Sebastian. He was the first person to make me feel special. I could tell how much he loved me by the way he acted and looked at me. I can’t dwell on how much that’s changed or how we may never be like that again, or I’ll never leave this hallway.
I shuffle to my bathroom and wash my face. Red streaks my eyes, and my cheeks are puffy. If I’m honest, I look tired. Emotional distress can weigh on a person like a mountain. I don’t know how much longer I can do this.
Noises stir in the bedroom. Maybe it’s Kensie.
“Hello?” I shout through the open bathroom door. It’s dark out there, the sun having set a while ago, and I didn’t turn on any lights.
A tall form appears in the doorway. Sebastian.
His expression looks torn. Even the scar under his lip seems more prominent, as does the one that cuts through his eyebrow.
“What do you want?”
“I hurt you.”
I nod. He’sbeenhurting me. Unintentionally, but it doesn’t make it easier.
“I’m…sorry.”
I laugh without humor and shake my head. “You’re not sorry. You haven’t learned to be sorry yet or to say it and mean it. You learned with me. You got really good at it.”
His brows lower. “Why was I always apologizing? Did I screw up a lot?”
“No. Well, in the beginning, but we were finding our way. It was hard. We both wanted each other, but you were trapped in your family with your delightful father who taught you, ‘Only the weak apologize, the strong have nothing to be sorry for.’”
He blinks wide. “You know about that?”
“We were engaged. It was a healthy relationship. Give me some credit.”
“I’m trying to.” He takes a few steps into the bathroom, his gaze on the tub, as if remembering the other night when I was in it.
“I don’t mean to hurt you.”
I close my eyes and lean my back against the counter. “I know.”
“Nathan explained everything to me about what Marina did to you and Riley. Why didn’t you tell me?”
I open my eyes to find him closer, a foot away, staring down at me, his gaze filled with torment.
“You haven’t been eager to listen to our past. I say what I can when the opportunity arises.”
“Which usually leads to sex.”
“Yep.”
“I like having sex with you.” He inches closer.
My body responds with flutters, a racing heart, shivers over my skin, and a warmth that shoots straight to my core. “I like having sex with you, too.”
He touches my chin and tips my face up. “I think you love it.”
