Page 84 of Falling For Us Again

My hands fall to my sides.

“I—” she starts, her voice barely a whisper, but it’s enough to send me spiraling.

I take a step back, my chest tightening with the realization that I’ve misread everything. I thought maybe... maybe she felt the same way. But I was wrong.

“It’s okay,” I say quickly, forcing a smile even though it feels like my heart is shattering in my chest. “You don’t have to say anything. I get it. I shouldn’t have come here. I’ll let you be just like you've always wanted.”

“Dylan—” she says again, but I can’t bear to hear whatever it is she’s about to say.

I don’t think I could handle hearing her rejection. I walk out of the office, my legs moving faster than my mind can keep up. The hallway stretches out in front of me, but I can’t see anything. All I can hear is the sound of my own heartbeat, pounding relentlessly in my ears.

I push through the front doors of the building, the bright sunlight hitting me like a slap in the face. The streets of L.A. buzz around me, but I can’t focus on anything. My heart feels heavy, my chest tight, and all I want to do is disappear.

I thought I could handle this. I thought I could tell her how I felt and maybe this time things would be different. But now I realize how foolish I’ve been.

I keep walking, my feet carrying me farther and farther away from her office, from her, to where I parked my car. It feels like the world is caving in on me, like everything just came crashing down in a single, silent moment.

I was foolish to think that we could have a second chance.

There is no hope for us.

Chapter 30

CLOSURE

Jenna

“Jenna, is that you?” Aunt Mila calls from the kitchen.

My bag drops to the rug with a soft thud, and I plop on the sofa, exhaustion taking over me. The scent of cinnamon and vanilla warps its way into my nose, and my stomach groans. I didn't even realize that I was starving until now.

“It’s me.” I respond to her with a small yawn. “I’m starving Aunt Mila.”

I didn't want to go to my large house alone tonight.

After Dylan’s confession yesterday, it’s all I can think about. The revelation about our parents still gnaws at me, leaving an ache that settles deep in my bones. My chest tightens every time I think about it.

What a sad, beautiful, tragic love affair.

“Hi honey,” She pulls me into a tight hug. Her arms are warm and strong, and I let myself melt into the comfort of her embrace.

We sit in the living room, and for a while, we don’t say much. My aunt busies herself with making tea, and I stare at the photographs on the mantelpiece that marks the passage of time.

When my aunt returns with the tea, she sits beside me, her expression gentle but knowing. She doesn’t push, but I can feel her waiting for me to open up. The words are lodged in my throat, but eventually they start to spill out.

“Dylan came to see me yesterday.”

Her eyes widen. “He came all the way from Hartlow? Interesting.”

“He said he wants us back together and that he’s still in love with me.”

“And what did you say?”

I brush my hands through my hair. “I couldn't find any words. I was shocked and surprised.”

“What about you? What do you feel?”

“I don't know. I’m so scared, Aunt Mila. I can't deal with another heartbreak with him. You know how much it almost destroyed me back then.”

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