Page 129 of Only Be Mine

“Yeah,” I said, and meant it. Or wanted to. “Just… adjusting.”

He smiled, reaching across the table to lace his fingers with mine. “That makes sense.”

I squeezed back, grounding myself in the simple fact of his hand, his presence. Seth’s words from the reception drifted through my mind. He would be happy for you. I held onto that thought like a lifeline.

“So, they were okay with you missing work today?”

He grinned, loosening his tie, something I never saw him do. “I’ve been gone two weeks, what’s one more day?”

“Well, when you put it that way…” I couldn’t help but return his smile. Everything had been so easy when we were in St. Lucia. Maybe what I needed was a change in scenery. Maybe it was time to leave Colorado…

I let the idea simmer in my head as Trevor talked about one of his clients who wouldn’t stop emailing while we were gone. I listened, nodding in the right places, letting the rhythm of it wash over me.

When we got back to the house, Trevor kicked off his shoes and stretched, glancing over at me. “What do you say we keep the rest of the day low-key? Watch a movie, order in for dinner, whatever you want.”

I didn’t hesitate. “That sounds perfect.”

He looked pleased - relieved, maybe - and followed me into the living room. I curled up beside him on the couch, tucking my legs beneath me as he pulled a blanket over us both. His arm came around my shoulders, solid and warm, and I rested my head against his chest.

The movie played. Some romantic comedy we’d half-watched before. I laughed when I was supposed to, even snuggled closer when the characters kissed on screen.

I was trying.

My thoughts wandered anyway, back to the townhouse, to the phone I’d left behind on the counter. I knew it was there, along with the voicemail that had derailed me. And who knew how many missed calls I had from Seth at this point.

I also knew my car was still parked out front. If I wanted to go get it, I’d have to ask Trevor for a ride.

I sighed, not ready to deal with any of it yet, and knowing there was no way out of it.

“Everything okay?” Trevor murmured, brushing his thumb along my arm.

I nodded quickly and tilted my face up to kiss him. “Yeah. I’m good. Just tired.”

He accepted that easily, pressing a kiss to my hair. “You don’t have to rush anything.”

That should’ve comforted me. Instead, I felt the strange pull of it - the way slowing down also meant staying right where I was. Meant giving myself time and space to think, to sit with all the messy feelings that were trying to run rampant through my system.

No. I couldn’t slow down, not yet anyway.

Later, as evening settled in and the house grew quiet, Trevor disappeared into the kitchen to make popcorn. I stayed curled on the couch, listening to the familiar sounds, telling myself that this, this, was what moving on looked like.

Not forgetting.

Just choosing something new.

I could never forget John, but if I were being honest, it was time I moved on.

When Trevor came back, he set the bowl between us and pulled me close again. I let myself relax into his side, into the easy rhythm of shared space and shared silence.

When Trevor shifted beside me, adjusting the blanket, I felt the subtle change in his breathing before he spoke.

“You’re quiet,” he said gently.

“I’m okay,” I replied, and this time I didn’t rush it. I traced slow, absent circles against his chest, feeling the steady beat beneath my palm. “I just… don’t want today to end yet.”

He tilted his head down, brushing his lips against my hair. “Then it doesn’t have to.”

Something in my chest loosened.