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But not tonight.
She was still struggling, and something told him she wouldn’t be open to such an intervention. He’d give it a couple more days. He got the distinct feeling that she was nearing her rock bottom. She hadn’t been this despondent since they’d met. Perhaps she’d had that much-needed conversation with her sister that she’d been avoiding.
That made the most sense. Whenever she’d gotten a call from her sister, her demeanor had shifted. He hadn’t missed the fact that she hadn’t brought her phone on their little stargazing venture. While it had been nice not to be interrupted by the constant buzzing sounds, he couldn’t help but wonder what had transpired.
Another time, he reminded himself. Tonight would be just for the two of them.
He tugged her back down onto the blanket he’d spread out in the bed of the truck. “Let me show you my favorite constellation.”
She snuggled against him and let out a sigh. “I thought you didn’t like to read.”
“You don’t have to read to know the constellations,” he grumbled.
There was a smile in her voice. “No, but it helps.”
Caleb rolled his eyes. “I learned in school and from…” His voice caught in his throat.
“And?”
“My brother.”
“Which one?”
He didn’t answer right away. The cool air grew even colder.
She sat up and stared down at him in the darkness. “Your twin?”
A lump formed in his throat. “Carter always liked astronomy. He could tell you every story there was about every constellation. It was actually really annoying.”
“And yet it was something you two enjoyed together.”
The lump in Caleb’s throat grew larger. He’d been the poet, and his brother had been the astronomer. As cowboys, they hadn’t exactly fit in. But that didn’t stop them from pursuing the things that made them happy—even when that happiness came at a cost. He cleared his throat. “It’s ancient history now.”
She didn’t move. Her gaze remained locked on him, though he couldn’t tell if she could see much. Then, without warning, she brushed a kiss to his lips. Caught off guard, he froze. Her kiss warmed him, pulling him in. Slowly, his arms wrapped around her, holding her closer. He kissed her with a newfound desperation—reveling in the connection they’d found together in this moment.
If his life as he knew it ended right here, right now, he would die a happy man. Thankfully, he didn’t have to think about that. Whatever it took, whatever price he had to pay, he’d do it. He’d crawl over hot coals if it meant a life with her.
21
Emily
Emma couldn’t have been more wrong. She knew that now. Even her sister could see where Emma had gone wrong. There would be no salvaging her relationship with Caleb. While she’d had hopes that he would understand her situation and forgive her for her secrets, it was clear his judgment of who she was would be too hard to overcome.
So, she’d kept quiet.
Their date didn’t have to be ruined.
This didn’t mean she wasn’t going to tell him. She intended on doing just that, but first she had to figure out a few things. On second thought, maybe telling him didn’t have to happen either. What if she broke up with him and called it a day? If she was really lucky, he’d never make the connection.
Emma stared at her phone—her real phone—the one that Rachel would have most assuredly tracked if it had remained connected.
She didn’t know if she wanted to turn it on right now and put the SIM card back in, knowing full well that there would be loads of voice messages from not only her manager but from friends and family, too. Her mother might have called and begged her to return her messages.
The guilt that currently plagued her was wrapping tighter and tighter around her neck like the noose it was. The consequences she’d thought wouldn’t matter were knocking at her door, ready to be let in so they could suffocate her.
Perhaps Caleb was right about that. She’d come here without thinking about the consequences of her actions. She’d figured a short trip wouldn’t hurt anyone. Geez, she hadn’t even stayed long enough that she could have predicted the chaos that had followed. How had she managed to become so delusional?
Emma thought she’d been smarter than this. She’d thought she’d considered all the outcomes, and yet now as she stood staring at the device, she knew she’d miscalculated everything. She couldn’t even expect anyone to have pity on her. After what she’d done, she wouldn’t blame anyone for hating her.
