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Oliver gathered me in his arms, raining kisses on my hair, my eyes, my lips, as we stayed connected. It was some time before he slipped out of me and I groaned, feeling the disconnection, needing him back.
He looked deeply into my eyes and with a solemn voice, he murmured, “This is a mistake. You were right earlier. This shouldn’t have happened. I shouldn’t be taking advantage of you when you’re vulnerable like this.”
The euphoria I had been feeling earlier came crashing back down on me. I looked down and bit my lip.
“You’re right,” I murmured. “This shouldn’t have happened.”
Twelve years ago, we broke things up between us because it was the right thing to do. I was crazy in love with him at that time and I was fairly certain he returned the feelings.
But just because it was the right thing to do doesn’t make it easier. It feels more like a paltry Band Aid over a gaping wound.
It broke my heart when he left for London—it really did.
And in a few days, he would be heading back there, too.
It didn’t matter what I felt for him or how strong the attraction between us was—the ending was always the same.
He would leave and I would be left here in Georgetown, trying to get on with my life as best as I could. I couldn’t make him stay, not when there were people there who needed him.
And I couldn’t leave my home and Grandma Margaret.
I blinked my eyes rapidly to stop the tears from forming, my breathing becoming a bit faster as I struggled not to cry.
I felt him press a soft kiss to my forehead. “I think I should go now. You’re looking tired. Try to catch up on some sleep, okay?”
I nodded a little, biting my lower lip as I shut my eyes to stop my tears from falling.
When he leaves, I do not want to see him go…
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
OLIVER
Ishook my head and forced myself not to think too much about Amanda. In a few days, I was going back to London. With my busy life there, I could probably put all of this behind me easier. I won’t have to look around and see Amanda everywhere.
I could go back to my dreary, empty apartment and get on with my life like this idyllic interlude had never happened.
I hopped on my bike and rode to the field where Julian coached his soccer team. The kids were still around by the time I arrived, so I parked my bike to the side. Just as I approached and waved at Julian to catch his attention, a ball came sailing from out of nowhere and hit me.
Right.
Between.
The.
Legs.
Pain the likes I had never felt before exploded in my whole system, and I swore I blanked out as I fell to the grass.
“The crown jewels!” I choked out.
To my intense humiliation, the damned kids and Julian started laughing like it was the funniest thing they had ever seen their entire lives. Even Elle hadn’t managed to incapacitate me in the same way—although not for lack of trying.
“Good job, Max!” my best friend cheered. “Right on the mark! Your accuracy is getting better!”
The kids burst out into another round of laughter as I half-laughed, half-winced at Max. “You little brat!”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Oliver,” Max apologized. There was nothing sorry about the smug smile on his dimpled face, though.
