Page 27 of Almost

“I think I’ve died and gone to heaven,” I say, saving this moment as a mental picture in my mind. Thalia sits up to kneel on the comforter she picked out a few weeks ago. She’s slowly decorating the house, being extremely picky about everything.

“I guess that’s one way of putting it, it’s been a big night for you.” She smiles and wraps her arms around my waist. “Bash, I just want you to know that I will love you no matter what. I’m really happy with where we’re at.”

“I’m happy too. I think you might be the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” I say, cupping her face gently with my hand. Thalia leans into my touch, that small movement telling me everything I need to know.

She kisses me momentarily, slowly wrapping her arms around my neck. “You’re a good man, Sebastian Walker. I know your parents would be really proud of you if they could see you now.”

I can feel tears burn in my eyes as I try to hold them back. I press my lips roughly against hers, trying to convey to her the emotions swirling inside me.

Love for Thalia, sadness because my parents aren’t here, and hope for the future being as great as today was. She’s the only thing that’s ever made sense to me.

~

The sky starts to pink and I stretch out, taking in a scene that’s entirely worth the elevated hike to get here.

I wish I’d been able to work the courage up to talk to Thalia last night.

She looked incredible, and more than that, she was happy. I wish I could have been the one making her look that way. I’d drain my accounts to have Thalia sitting right next to me, telling me everything that I’ve missed.

I feel like I’ve been hit by a semi realizing that Thalia is the one I want sitting next to me.

Not Kiera.

Suddenly, everything finally makes perfect sense. I love Kiera, but she’s not Thalia. No one can ever measure up to her, and I’m making everyone miserable trying to convince myself that I have moved on.

She didn’t say no. She said not right now.

I pull my phone out of my pocket, dialing her number from memory. I don’t expect her to answer considering the sun is just now rising, but it’s a pleasant surprise when the phone clicks as she answers. I let out a sigh of relief, finally saying the words I should have said months ago. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything, Thalia. I’ve been an asshole, but I told you the truth when I said I don’t know how to stoploving you, and I don’t think I want to learn,” I blurt out quickly before I can talk myself out of this.

I hope I’m not too late to try to make things right. I’ve been such an idiot.

“Sebastian?” Eric’s groggy voice answers instead, and my stomach drops immediately. “Are you kidding me right now?” he whispers angrily.

“Why are you answering Thalia’s phone?” I ask dumbly, but I already know the answer.

“Why the hell do you think? God, I can’t believe this. You have had years to get her back;years, Bash. You’re not good for her, and you need to let Thalia go.”

Fuck.

“I can’t.”

I can’t let her go. I know I should, but maybe there’s a reason I called her a month ago. I know it wasn’t fair to ask her to photograph the wedding, but subconsciously I think there was a part of me that wanted an excuse to have her back in my life.

Eric is silent for a moment, and then I hear a door shut in the background before he starts speaking again. “She is doing just fine without you. The only thing causing Thalia pain right now is you because you are engaged to another woman, but you’re calling to tell her that you still love her. Do you even think before doing anything?”

I stare at the horizon as the sun starts to rise. “I need to talk to her, please, Eric.” My voice is filled with desperation, and I don’t even care.

“No, you don’t need to talk to her. She wants you out of her life for good, not trying to worm your way back into her heart. If you care about her at all, you’ll keep the promiseyou made to her and leave Thalia the fuck alone after your wedding.”

I’m too late. It was stupid to think that she might actually want something to do with me still, but Eric has a point. Thalia told me what she wanted from me, and it was to leave her alone. The least I can do now is respect her wishes.

“Okay,” I agree quietly, hanging up.

What have I done?

CHAPTER TWELVE

Thalia

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