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“You’ve never mentioned it before. You love this town.”
Does he have to be so freaking gorgeous? All long legs and snug jeans hugging his lean waist. The waist I just had my legs locked around.
I swallow.
“I know.”
“So. . . does Heather know?”
I nod.
“Your parents?”
I glance out the window. The first blush of light whispers through the blinds. Suddenly, I feel chilled, like the cool night air is pressing in around me.
“So you were just gonna leave. Without a word? To anyone?” He means him.
Of course, he means him.
How did we go from one of the most beautiful nights of my life to this. . . torment? I brought it on myself, but he wasn’t supposed to see the boxes. He was supposed to go about his life, maybe wonder where I’d gone. Ask about me months from now. And by then, I’d be safely a gazillion miles away.
Except I quickly realize the error of that idea. When I look at him, really look, there’s no getting over Hunter Dawson.
Whatever this is between us, it’s soul deep. Something you find once in a lifetime if you’re extremely lucky. And I could never want anyone but him. Believe me, I’ve tried.
He stalks forward like a mountain lion and perches on the edge of the bed. I tug the sheet tighter around my chest, not to warn him off but because I’m cold without him.
“Pie. . . talk to me.”
I close my eyes. “Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, I was going to leave without telling anyone. Without saying goodbye.”
“Why?” There’s so much pain in the word that my eyes begin to water and the tip of my nose tingles.
I stare at him, letting him see how torn up I feel. I’ve never had to hide with Hunter.
“Because I can’t do it anymore. I can’t live in this town, wondering when I’ll see you next. Watching women flirt with you. Seeing you every Sunday at dinner, but knowing you can never be mine!” I shout at him. Tears roll down my cheeks, and my limbs tremble with the release of emotions and painful truth.
“Oh, Pie.” His gorgeous voice cracks as he reaches for me, pulling me tight against his chest.
His familiar scent wraps around me like a warm blanket. I tuck my face against his neck and soak in his comforting presence. He cups the back of my head.
“Sweet girl. Your tears are breaking my heart.”
I choke back a sob. “Mine’s been breaking for years.” I don’t know where all this honesty is coming from. But it’s like a broken faucet. Once the truth starts coming out, it won’t stop. A part of me doesn’t want it to. Maybe if everything is out in the open, I won’t be hurting alone anymore.
“That’s over now, honey. Didn’t you hear me last night? We’re not going back to the way things were. Ever.”
I tighten my arms around him.
“How can it be over? Nothing’s changed.” There’s still my dad to worry about. My mom. Oh my god. And my brothers! Plus, we live in a small town.
“Everything’s changed. Well, not everything. I’m still crazy about you, but we’re not going back to the way things were. I can’t. I was wrong to think that the texts and the chance meetings at the grocery store were enough. You are worth rocking the boat for. You’re worth everything.”
I pull back so I can look him in the eye. The sheet slips beneath my breasts, but his gaze doesn’t waver. He stares into my eyes like he’s willing me to understand what’s in his heart and soul. I want to. Desperately. But after years of denying myself, telling myself that he’d never truly see me as anything more than Joshua’s daughter. . .
