Page 127 of Loving You

Being with Miles feels right.

Knowing that he’s going to be there when I call it a night feels right.

Natalie is the first to speak up. “I don’t want you to leave, Quinn, and I know Tobias would never admit this out loud, but I don’t think he wants you to go, either.”

My vision starts to blur as tears form.

“Yeah, this summer has been so amazing. It’s going to be harder than usual.”

“So you still plan to leave?” Sadie asks.

“Um,” I say and take a breath. “I have commitments that I made and contracts to complete.”

I frown.

Did I really just say that I’m leaving because I have commitments and contracts? Not because I love traveling. Not because I love being somewhere new.

Is that part of my problem? I don’t travel for me anymore. My destinations aren’t picked based on what I love or want. It’s whatever everyone else wants.

At what point in life did I give that up?

Brooke nods. “Do you think you’d ever stop and settle down?”

I nod and answer without hesitation. “I hope I get there someday.”

I sip my drink as Sadie says quietly, “Does Miles know you’re still leaving?”

“He does.”

I look up just in time to see Sadie shake her head as if she’s not happy with my answer.

“But I’ll be back,” I add quickly and with a bit more pep.The tone in the room is starting to go downhill. “A lot sooner than you think.”

Before any of them can reply, there is a knock at the door. Brooke rushes to answer it and Hudson steps in, Miles and my brother right behind him.

“Oh, is this planned this way?” I ask with a laugh.

“Every Tuesday,” Sadie says quietly. “You’ll be here for the next two still, so you’ll see.”

Then she hugs me tighter than ever before and rushes out the front door with Hudson.

I know the conversation took a turn to Sad City, but as we all say good night and hug each other goodbye, one thought consumes my mind.

What if I didn’t leave?

“I could have easily walked homeon my own,” I say as Miles weaves his fingers with mine.

I love that all the guys knew when to come to Brooke’s. Even Tobias had Grandma Betty stop by the house to watch the twins so he could get Natalie.

From the direction they turned when they left, I think they took the long walk home.

I snuggle closer into Miles’s side.

“I’m sure you could have walked on your own, but it doesn’t mean you have to.”

“Why do you always say that to me?” I ask, pulling away so that I can look at him.”

“Because it’s true. I’m fully aware that you don’t need anyone to do anything for you, Quinn, but I want to do things for you.”

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