Page 79 of Unforgettable

I couldn’t stay another month, doing this with him, and I couldn’t stay another month and be without him.

I just didn’t know how to tell him.

“Can we just shelve this conversation,” I say, like the coward I am. “I don’t want it to be a black cloud over us while you’re trying to enjoy your sister’s wedding.”

He rubs his hand over his lips in contemplation and I know he’s stopping himself from arguing with me. “So how do you want to play this?” he asks me, the hostility in his voice unmistakable. “Are we just going to pretend outside, and in here it’s like the last month hasn’t happened? Or you just want to go on as we have been, only for you to disappear on me again as soon as the weekend is over?”

The fact that his accusation is warranted and accurate makes me nauseous with guilt. Nobody knows me like this man does, and I’m standing here, trying to convince him that he doesn’t get me at all.

“What do you want me to say?” I drop to the bed and bury my head in my hands.

Oz closes the gap between us and crouches in front of me, his hands on my knees. “I just want us to be okay. And you have to talk to me to do that, but since we’re not doing that, I don’t know how to move forward.”

I raise my head, and I hate that I’ve caused the agony swimming in Oz’s eyes. “If you can,” I say, “let’s just be us this weekend. Forget the week that was and forget the week ahead and what will be.”

Despite the caution and worry written all over his face, he eventually nods.

I brush my fingers down his jaw and lower my head to gently kiss his lips. “Can we just go to bed? I’m so tired.”

Lost to our own thoughts, we both climb into the large California king in silence. We lay there stiffly, side by side, staring at the ceiling, for what feels like a lifetime. Huffing, Oz turns, giving me his back. Not wanting to fall asleep with the tension, I surprise him when I press my front flush against him, my arm curling around his waist.

“Is this okay?” I whisper into his neck.

He covers my arm with his, putting pressure against his stomach. “Perfect.”

And for the first time since I walked out of Oz’s apartment that morning a week ago, I get a full night’s sleep.

* * *

I’m woken up to my face being peppered with kisses, the air around me smelling of soap and deodorant and… bacon? Opening my eyes, I’m gifted with a gorgeous-looking Oz, crouching beside the bed, clearly trying to rouse me.

“Good morning,” he greets cheerfully.

The tension from last night has clearly dissolved, falling asleep in one another’s arms the Band-Aid we both needed. My insides unfurl in relief and my face splits into a smile. “What time is it?”

“I let you sleep in for as long as possible while I spent the morning giving my sisters shit while they got their hair and makeup done for today,” he gloats. “But I did bring you breakfast.”

My eyes roam around the room, stopping on a cart packed with pastries, a jug of orange juice, and what I’m assuming to be a plate of bacon.

“You didn’t have to get me bacon,” I say, slowly sitting up. “I’m perfectly content being a vegetarian around you and your family.”

“I know, but Dixie was overloading on it and I thought I’d save her from feeling sick in a few hours and bring it here.”

I chuckle. “How’s she doing?”

“She’s freaking out about not fitting in the dress but also eating everything in sight.” Oz shrugs helplessly. “So, I’m really not sure.”

Pushing down the blankets, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, and Oz stands to his full height.

“You’re looking fresh and lively this morning,” I say.

“It’s a toss-up between it being my sister’s wedding and the great sleep I had last night.”

I smile shyly, my cheeks heating. “I had a great sleep too.”

Oz strides over to the cart and pushes it toward me. “All this is for you.” He pours two glasses of orange juice and hands me one. “After this, we’ll start to get ready, because Ihave to take some photos with my family before the ceremony, and I want you there.”

“I have no problem ogling you in your wedding getup.” I take a sip of my drink. “I’ll even help you get dressed if you want.”

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