Page 93 of Feels Like Love
This was it. Everything hinged on this question. If she said yes, then I’d bow out and let her go.
Please say no. Please say no. Please say no.
I held my breath, waiting for her answer. It took her a moment, but it felt like an eternity.
Finally, she said, “I could see a future with him, yes. But—”
Well, wasn’t that just a punch to the gut? Here I was imagining our life together. Our family. And she was planning hers with another man.
I missed what she’d said after that, though I caught the tail end. Something about River and taking care of him for the weekend.
“I’ll do it,” I blurted before thinking it through.
She jerked her head back. “What?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “I’m on call Friday night, but I could pick him up from your mom’s on Saturday. And then we could have a boys’ weekend.”
She tilted her head to the side, appraising me. “Really? You’d do that for me.”
I’d do anything for you.
“Of course. I’d love to spend some time with my favorite human.”
“You really are the best, Bennett.” She placed her hand on mine then leaned over to press her lips to my cheek. “What was it you wanted to tell me?”
“Oh, um.” I cleared my throat. “The contractor called. My house should be finished Monday.”
“Monday?” She swallowed. “As in, this coming Monday? Four days from now?”
I nodded. “Yeah. So, a boys’ weekend with River will give me a chance to spend time with him before I move out.”
“Wow.” She ran a hand through her hair. “Wow. Okay. I didn’t realize your house was that close to being finished.”
“Yep. Doing a final walk-through this weekend. If you’re okay with it, I’ll take River with me.”
She wore a contemplative expression, and I wished I could read her mind. Because at the moment, I didn’t have a fucking clue what she was thinking.
“I thought you’d be happy to finally get me out of your hair,” I teased.
“You know you’re welcome to stay as long as you need. River will miss you.”
I’ll miss you.
“I’ll miss him too, but it’s probably for the best.”Lie.
It didn’t feel like it was for the best, but what could I say. She was falling for Arlo. They were going away together. That was the end of it. The end of us.
“Plus, this is good timing since things are getting more serious with Arlo. Right?”
There was no fucking way I could keep living here. Whether my house was done or not come Monday, I’d be gone.
She hesitated a moment, lost in thought, then downed the rest of her glass of wine and said, “Right. Yeah. Of course.”
“Want a refill?” I asked.
She nodded, and I finished off my glass while walking to the kitchen to grab the bottle. When I’d refilled our glasses, I raised mine. “Well, I guess this is a celebration,” I said, forcing the words through my lips. “Cheers to graduating dating school.”
She laughed, and fuck me, if it didn’t hurt.
