Page 104 of Impending Consent

She nodded and didn't pull away when I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. When I turned to leave, her voice stopped me.

"Rival?"

I looked back. "Yeah?"

"Thank you for coming after me."

It wasn't a declaration of love or forgiveness, but it was enough for now.

"Every fucking time, Sail. That’s my word.”

Chapter 25

Sailor

The door closed behind Rival with a soft click that echoed in the emptiness of my apartment. I sat motionless on the sofa, replaying his words over and over.

"It could only ever be you."

Did I believe him? Could I trust that what we had was real and not reincarnation of a failed relationship with a woman who, on paper at least, could have been my professional twin?

I set my glass down and moved to the window. This view used to feel like a prize that solidified my life with no attachments or expectations beyond what I chose to accept. Now it just felt empty.

So much had changed and this place stopped feeling like home. The realization hit me with much needed clarity. This apartment hadn't felt like home since I'd moved in with Rival. Home was now hardwood floors that creaked in specific spots, the scent of my husband’s cologne, the sound of Rival’s voice, and his presence. Home was wherever he was.

"Damnit," I whispered, pressing my forehead against the cool glass.

I was in love with him. Completely, irrevocably in love with him. Enough to accept that love required trust and vulnerability, even when it was terrifying and every instinct screamed at me to run or retreat.

My father's voice was still in my head, warning me that I was being too trusting, but what if he was wrong? What if this time my lack of trust was the problem.

Rival showed up for me tonight. He hadn't given me space to spiral.

"I'm always going to show up and I’m always going to choose you. Every fucking time, even when you're pushing me away."

I moved away from the window, feeling too damn restless in the apartment that no longer felt like mine. After a quick shower I crawled in bed, half expecting the familiarity of my old space to comfort me, but instead I tossed and turned, unable to rest.

This bed didn’t feel like mine anymore. I missed Rival's solid warmth beside me, the rhythm of his breathing and the way he instinctively reached for me in sleep.

When my phone vibrated with a call, I felt grateful for the distraction.

"Hey.”

"Just checking in. You okay?" Sky sounded cautious.

"I'm fine," I said automatically, then corrected myself. "Actually, no. I'm not fine but I will be."

"Did Rival find you?"

"Yeah, he did. We talked." I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling.

"And?"

"He explained about that woman and why he didn't tell me."

"Do you believe him?"

The question hung in the air as I considered my answer. "I want to. Everything in me wants to believe him."

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