Page 78 of The Rancher's Unrequited Love

"Talk to me, baby."

Oh God.

I really thought I'd never hear him say that again, and my chest feels like it's about to burst.

"Have you figured things out?"

"N-no."

"That's fine."

"It'snotfine," I choke out. "What if I never figure things out?"

"You will."

He sounds so confident I want to believe him. I want to believe him so badly, but...

"I'm a mess."

"You mean you've reached a crossroad in your life."

"I might want to quit my job."

"As long as it makes you happy."

"I haven't even broken up with Jack—-"

"That pisses me off," Aidan acknowledges.

I can't help holding my breath, feeling like there's abutcoming...

"But we both know he's never been the issue between us."

I want to laugh and cry. Only Aidan, of course...only someone perfect like Aidan could actually say that the fact I still have a boyfriend doesn't matter, and the craziest thing about it is that every word he's said is true.

Jack is a problem, but he's never beentheissue between us. Perfection has always been within reach, and the sun has always been mine for the taking, and I...

"I'm just so scared, Aidan," I whisper.

"I know."

"I'm used to guys like you dumping me."

"But am I really like them? Are they as hot as me? As handsome as me? As—-"

And it finally happens. I'm laughing and crying, and oh God, I'm still so scared, but more than that...

I think...

I think I already know what I want.

I'm almost sure of it.

And that's why I hear myself say...

"One last thing."

"It can be a thousand things..." I can hear the smile in Aidan's voice as he speaks. "But it won't make a difference." And now I'm hearing something else. Something so magical that my heart races and breaks all at the same time—-

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