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He looked away, a shadow crossing his face. "It's not about jealousy, Paisley. I've seen guys like him. Arrogant, thinking they own the world. He's not right for you."
I frowned, irritation bubbling up. "You don't get to decide that."
Benjamin held up his hands in surrender. "I know. I just... I care about you. I always will. And I want you to be happy."
I took a sip of my water, swallowing hard. "I am happy. With Austin."
He met my gaze, his eyes searching mine for a long moment. "I hope you are. Truly."
The weight of our shared past hung heavily in the air. The silence was deafening, both of us lost in our own thoughts.
Finally, I spoke. "Ben, about the papers…"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, about that. I'll sign them. I just... I needed to see you. To know that you're okay."
Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes, the weight of our history pressing down on me. "Thank you."
He stood, moving closer. I could feel the heat of his body, the familiar pull between us as palpable as ever.
"You deserve happiness," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Even if it's not with me."
I nodded, swallowing back tears. "Thank you."
The moment felt suspended, as though the universe itself was holding its breath. Benjamin stood close, the familiar smell of his cologne, the heat of his body, everything threatening to pull me into memories of a past we once shared. My heart ached; not for lost love, but for the pain of parting and the burden of unfulfilled dreams.
Drawing a deep breath, I pulled him into a tight hug. I felt the solid warmth of him, remembered nights wrapped up in those arms, waking up with his breath on my neck. But the nostalgia was laced with the stinging truth of the present. We were two souls that once intertwined, now on separate paths.
"You know," I started, my voice muffled against his chest, "You're a damn catch. The kind of man any girl would be lucky to have."
He pulled away slightly, looking down at me with a mixture of amusement and sadness. "Trying to pawn me off to some other girl already?"
I chuckled softly, wiping a stray tear that had managed to escape. "No, you goof. Just... I know you'll find someone. Someone who wants this life, this world. And she'll be damn lucky to have you."
He ran a hand through his hair, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Paisley, I--"
But I cut him off, "I mean it. It's just... This world, the galas, the expectations, the constant scrutiny. It's not me. I want freedom, the ability to be messy, to make mistakes without an audience. I want a life that’s lived, not one that's merely showcased."
His eyes softened, the blue depths reflecting understanding. "I get it, Pais. I just... I hoped, for a while at least, that maybe you'd want that life with me."
For a brief moment, guilt washed over me, but then I remembered every reason I had made the decisions I did. "I did too. But I've realized that love isn't about trying to fit someone into a mold or a life that doesn't feel right. I need to chase after what feels true to me."
He nodded, a rueful smile touching his lips. "And Austin is part of that?"
The mention of Austin sent a warm flutter through my stomach. "Yes, he is. But it's not just about him. It's about me, rediscovering who I am and what I want."
He let out a deep sigh, his fingers gently brushing my cheek. "I always knew you were destined for great things. Even if they're not with me."
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I replied, "Thank you. That means more than you know."
Without any warning, he leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek. It was soft, almost brotherly, but it sent a shockwave through me. The bittersweetness of the gesture wasn't lost on me. It was a goodbye, not just to us, but to the world we once shared.
Pulling back, Benjamin gave me a long, searching look. "Promise me something, Pais."
I raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "What's that?"
"Promise me you'll chase after that freedom with everything you have. Don't settle. Not for anyone or anything."
A watery smile spread across my face. "I promise."
