AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Who likes to take bubble baths.”
“Hey. That’s a family secret. Don’t go spreading that around.”
We laugh and I actually enjoy talking to him. We disconnect and I’m about to go back to the party when Royce appears at the table and sets a phone in front of me. “It can’t be traced. Answer it when it rings.” He nods and backs away.
The phone rings and my heart flutters. “Hello.”
“Cat.”
Just hearing Reese’s voice, punches me with relief. “Is it over?”
“No. It’s not over, but it’s close.”
“How close?”
“Soon is all I can say, and I don’t want to talk about this. I want to just talk to you.”
“Where are you?”
“Home.”
“Home,” I repeat. “That place we used to share?” I don’t let him answer. “Who are you with?”
“I’m alone by choice. Cat, I need to know that you haven’t found ten reasons we aren’t good for each other.”
“Why would you even think that? I write to you in my column every day.”
“I know. I read it the minute I wake up.”
“Then how can you think that I’m not still with you?”
“Because I know you and you don’t know how I’m solving this and you can’t right now. I need to keep you away from it.”
“I don’t care what you do to end this as long as you don’t compromise who you are.”
“I’m doing what I need to do,” he says.
“You’re doing something you don’t want to do.”
“I’m doing what I hope we both still want. Making sure we end up together.”
“You’re worried that something you’re doing will push me away.”
“Yes. I am. Only time will tell.”
“You can’t push me away.”
“Challenge accepted.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Actually, I have to say it because if I can push you away, we weren’t real.”
Lauren’s words, which she has repeated every time she feels like I’m shutting down, come back to me. “Everyone wants to know love is real. I told Reese the same thing.”
“Reese—”
“I love you,” he says. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
