Page 89 of The Spark Between Us

Maybe more.

But I couldn’t say that. In the face of his stoic indifference, I couldn’t be the girl who gave up everything to stay with him, especially if he didn’t want me. I had more self-respect than that.

And let’s face it—he’d never given any indication he wanted me to stay or wanted more of a relationship. Ever. He was sweet and loving toward me, but that wasn’t the same thing as love, was it? We were temporary. We were fun. And pretty soon, we’d be over.

I nodded, confirming my answer to his question. “I guess there’s no reason not to take the position.” I inhaled a deep breath and made a decision I hoped was the right one. “And I guess since I’m pretty much done at the lab, I can let you have your spare bedroom back. Surprise—you get your freedom back a month early. I can commute down here if I need to finish up.”

I tried to smile past the sting of tears in my eyes. They’d be full rolling tears if I stayed here another second. So I stood up and did my level best to look Braden in the eye. His face was stony. “I really can’t thank you enough for letting me crash here. You’re a good man, Braden.”

I turned to go toward the stairs, and I heard his voice behind me, “Wait.”

Gulping over the lump in my throat, I looked at him.

“You can still stay here. The room is yours. I’m not going back on my word to offer you a place to live while you’re finishing up at the lab.”

It was my last chance to tell him how I felt, so I went for broke.

“I don’t need the room, Braden. I need you. I…I love you.” My voice caught in my throat when I said it. I closed my eyes to hold back tears building there. I didn’t want to open them and see the look of disappointment on Braden’s face because I’d done exactly what I’d promised not to do.

I swallowed hard and faced him. “If you’d given me even the smallest indication you wanted me to stay here for something more...” What was the point? He didn’t want me. “I can see that I’m the only one who feels it here. So I’m gonna go before I feel even worse about myself.”

He closed his eyes for a long blink, and I had a final glimmer of hope that he’d look at me the way that stirred something deep in my heart and tell me he wanted me to stay.

When he opened his eyes, I could see that he’d shut down. “Okay.” His face was a mask of indifference, his tone void of emotion.

Hearing the single word only proved what I already knew—Braden and I weren’t a couple. Never would be.

I went up to my room to pack. Then I left without saying goodbye.

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