Page 68 of Cherish Me Forever

"That sounds like it's going to be bad news."

My voice shook as I spoke. "Not necessarily. I just had a light bulb moment. Dating has been very hard for me since the breakup, and I think it’s because I wasn't fully healed." I paused, trying to gather myself.

After a few seconds, he added, "Take your time, Reese."

I sighed. "I still don't know if I'm healed yet. And it’s not that I have feelings for him. Nothing could be further from the truth. I just feel so empty inside. I'm not sure what I have left to give."

I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel.

"Reese, you've got a fucking lot to give. The fact that you doubt that is a crime. But I understand what you're saying."

"You do?"

"Yes. In a way, I'm in the same boat."

"Is that why you took pity on me and pretended to be my boyfriend that evening? Because you knew where I was coming from?"

"Yes. But also because I needed a good excuse to touch you, to be next to you."

I suddenly felt so awake, you’d think I'd just had three coffees. "What?"

"You heard me. The second I saw you—"

"You were annoyed as hell."

He chuckled. "That, too, but it was more than that. Something inside me told me I needed to be around you."

I sucked in a breath. “I'm not sure what to say.”

"I don't think this will be easy, Reese, but I sure as hell am not going to give up."

And just like that, my heart filled with joy.

"No, that's not what I meant. I don’t want to give up either.”

“Good. Now, I have a question for you. Want to go away for the weekend?” he asked.

“Where?”

“I have a house near the lake. What do you think?”

"Yes." I didn’t even hesitate.

Could this day be even more amazing? First the family rallied around me, and now I was going to spend some quality time with Dom. He didn't seem at all fazed about my revelation. Of course, he could always change his mind and run, but I didn't think he'd do that.

"Good. Then go home and pack. I can't wait to see you, Reese."

"I can't wait either."

I had a feeling the rest of the weekend was going to be epic. I might not be ready to explore what was left of my heart yet, but I was ready for whatever Dom had planned.

Chapter Seventeen

Dom

"Dom, can I have a word?" Charlene, my assistant, asked.

I glanced up from the screen of my computer. "Sure. I thought you’d gone.”

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