Page 21 of Still Love You

"I was angry because you invited me here and then a girl showed up. It was just a misunderstanding."

"You know I'd never do that to you. I would never plan some elaborate scheme in order to try to make you jealous."

"I know," I whisper.

He brushes the back of his hand over my cheek. "Willow, I need you to be honest with me. I need you to tell me how you really feel. What you really want."

I don't answer so he continues.

"I need to know if there's any hope for us. If you'd even consider the idea of us getting back together."

God, this is so hard. Being around him makes me want to go back to how things were, but eventually I'd have to break up with him. I already did that once and it was hard enough back then. I can't do it again. I don't want to have to close that door a second time.

"We're older now, Willow. We've both changed. Maybe we could make this work. I'm willing to try if you are."

A tear slips down my cheek. Luckily, it's dark so he can't see it. But I'm afraid to talk because my voice might crack. I don't want him knowing how much this is killing me. If I do, he'll think there's hope for us, and I can't give him that. Because there is no hope. We want different things in life. That hasn't changed. So as much as it hurts, the cold, hard truth is that we can't be together.

"Willow." He turns my face to his, forcing our eyes to meet. "I can't move on unless you tell me for sure that this is over."

More tears spill out and I shut my eyes trying to hold them back. I slowly nod. "It's over. You need to move on. We both do." My voice was shaky. Dammit.

His hand is cupping the side of my face and his thumb sweeps over my cheek, feeling the wetness.

"One last kiss?" he asks.

I open my eyes and see that the hurt on his face is gone. He almost looks relieved. Is it because I gave him an answer? It wasn't the answer he wanted, but at least it was an answer. Now he can find someone else. Someone who's better than me. Someone who can make him happy.

I never answered him about the kiss, and before I can, he leans down and presses his lips to mine. And I'm instantly reminded why no guy has ever compared to Silas. There's something between us—a spark, chemistry, some unexplainable force—that makes my body come alive whenever we're together like this. And that's just from a kiss. Sex with him is even more amazing.

No wonder his flirting affected me so much today. My body craves him. His kisses, his touch, the feel of him.

His tongue slips past my parted lips and I tug him closer, begging for more. Begging for this to never end. I just want to stay in this moment and not think about the future or our different paths or saying goodbye. I want to live in this moment, for just a little longer.

But then it ends. He slowly pulls back, his eyes on mine. "I love you, Willow."

I bite down on my lip, trying to keep myself from saying it back. I want to. I really do. But that will just take us down a road we can't be on.

He smiles. "We're still really good at that."

"Good at what?"

"Kissing."

I smile back. "Yeah, we were always good at that."

"Among other things." There's a sexiness to his tone. A flirtatious vibe that makes me wonder if he didn't accept my answer just now. Is he still going to try to date me? Try to kiss me again? Or do more than that? At this point, I'd agree to it. I'm weak after that kiss and desperate for more of Silas.

But that would be a bad decision. A very bad decision.

I quickly sit up. "Should we go watch the movie?"

"Nah. I'd rather stay out here." He sits up, facing me. He picks up our bag of snacks. "Any requests? Or should I surprise you?"

"Surprise me."

He reaches in the bag and pulls out a bag of Skittles. I used to eat Skittles when I was sad. The bright colors made me feel better.

"Thanks." I take the bag.

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