Page 76 of Make Your Save

“I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

I slowly turn my head, knowing I can’t leave like this. None of this is Rowan’s fault. I can’t expect him to get down on his knees and beg me to stay. He has a life to live, one that doesn’t involve me living in his house with him.

He has a village. He has the people he needs. I served my purpose here and now it’s time for me to get back to my own life.

I was never supposed to fall in love with Rowan Taylor, and I failed miserably.

Glancing down at my hand, I see the ring still on my finger. The ring that was never truly mine. “Here,” I whisper, pulling it free from my finger before handing it to Rowan. “I meant to take it off last night.”

Rowan stares down at the ring in his palm, not speaking a single word as he lifts his gaze to me. It’s unreadable and his eyes are bloodshot as they burn holes directly into my soul. “I don’t want this.”

I shake my head at him, refusing to accept it. Thering was never for me to keep and, honestly...I don’t want any of this. “Neither do I.”

His eyebrows pull downward, creating a crease between them as a wave of pain passes through his eyes. His lips part, but I speak before he gets a chance to say anything.

“Bye, Rowan.”

I don’t wait for him to respond as I force myself to turn my back to him and walk directly toward the sliding glass doors. They part and I step through them, entering the airport with the ever-present urge to chance a glance in his direction.

My footsteps falter and I half expect him to be behind me. No, I never expected it, but goddamn, I fucking hoped he would have followed after me. Anything to stop me from leaving.

But he doesn’t . . .

My vision blurs and the tears begin to fall as I start to move forward.

And I don’t look back.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

CARSON

Cocking my head to the side, my eyebrows lower in suspicion as I stare at the instant mac and cheese and mashed potatoes on the shelves at the grocery store. I’m supposed to be going to Lincoln and Nova’s for our first friends’ dinner. It’s something Riley and Nova decided they want us all to do once a month together.

The only kicker is, it’s supposed to be a potluck situation...and I can’t make ramen noodles without turning them to mush.

Pulling out my phone, I open up my messages and do a quick glance at the group text, realizing none of the guys were in charge of food. I see Rowan’s name and tap on it. I trap it between my ear and my shoulder as I pull off a box of instant mashed potatoes to read the instructions. I hear my call being picked up, but I’m greeted with silence.

“Did you talk to anyone about food tonight? No one said anything about what they were bringing and I wasgoing to just bring mashed potatoes. Can I bring instant ones or will that be weird?” I ask, pursing my lips in contemplation. “I don’t think anyone would be able to tell that they’re not real.”

There’s still silence and I’m wondering if Rowan even actually answered my call. I set down the box, releasing my phone from my shoulder, and pull it away as I look down at my phone. It’s connected.

“Hello? Did you fucking hang up on me?”

“No, Ford,” he mutters in response, his voice seemingly disinterested.

“What are you and Hadley bringing? Did she talk to Nova or Riley at all about food?”

Silence again.

“Rowan?”

“Hadley isn’t coming tonight.” Rowan sighs, his voice trailing off into silence.

“Oh, is she sick or something?” I corkscrew my lips, shuffling down the aisle as I lean forward to look at the boxes of pasta. I’m not so sure I should show up with mac and cheese, but maybe something similar would suffice.

“No.” The word is vacant and flat as it comes through the speaker.

“Then why won’t she be there?” I question him as I stand upright again, glancing around the aisle, not sure why the hell they put any expectation on someone like me.

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