Page 31 of Off-Limits

"Because," he murmurs, "it's not just about us, Mia. It's about your family—your brother—and the fact that I promised him I'd never touch you."

I roll my eyes at that, feeling a pang of annoyance mixed with sadness. "I really thought we were past this," I say. If I had known he wasn't, I never would have slept with him. "We've talked about it before, Jake. We're both adults, and Ryan has no right to dictate who I can or can't be with. Did you forget what you said to him?"

He nods, looking down at the floor for a moment before speaking again. "You're right," he says quietly. "But that doesn't change the fact that I made him a promise, and I feel guilty about breaking it. What I said to him before was true, but it happened in the heat of the moment. Now that I'm thinking more clearly, I believe that leaving you temporarily is the best thing I can do for us."

I shake my head, not wanting to hear this anymore. It's bullshit and he must be crazy. He must have hit his head whenhe woke up this morning. Regardless, I don't accept it. I don't want it.

"It wasn't just sex," I say softly, stepping closer to him once more and reaching up to cup his cheek in my hand. He leans into the touch briefly before pulling back again.

"No," he agrees. "But it doesn't change the fact that I didn't handle it well. Fuck, I should have said something else. Now, he's coming and he wants to kill me."

I drop my hand, feeling defeated as I realize that there might be no convincing Jake otherwise—not today, at least.

"So what are you going to do?" I ask. "Just leave me here alone while you go off and... what? Figure out how to make miracles happen? Finally make up your mind about your love for me and your friendship with Ryan?"

He looks at me for a long moment, then nods slowly. "I don't know," he says honestly. "But I can't stay here—not with Ryan so angry, not when there's still a chance we could work things out."

I shake my head, fail to hide my smile, and swallow hard, trying to hold back the tears that are threatening to spill over now. "Okay," I say finally. "If you think that's what's best for both of us... then go. I don't want to see you ever again. Not until you finally make up your mind. There's no one more frustrating than you."

And then, all too soon, he's moves away from me, grabbing his bag from where it's leaning against the counter, and walking towards the front door.

"Jake," I say as he pauses with one hand on the doorknob. He turns to look at me, his expression softening.

"Yes?" he says softly.

"I love you."

He smiles sadly, then opens the door and steps outside without another word. As he walks away from me, I can't help but feel like this might be the last time we ever see each other. And that thought breaks my heart into a thousand tiny pieces.

Fuck this. Fuck his promise. Fuck his confused mind. And fuck Ryan, too.

Even though I remain where I am, watching him go, I know deep down in my soul that Jake is wrong. This isn't about Ryan or our families or any of that. It's about us—about the love and connection that we've shared since that first moment when he walked back into my life.

And I can't let it go without a fight.

I don't waste more time than a few minutes, and so I grab my phone, dialing his number. He picks up after only two rings, and before he can say anything, I start talking.

"Don't," I say sharply. "Don't you dare leave me like this, Jake Morrison."

He hesitates for a moment, then sighs. "Mia—"

"No," I cut him off. "I don't want to hear it. Not right now. Not ever." I pause, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I love you, Jake. And if you walk away from me because you still think you owe Ryan, then you're not the man I thought you were."

He's silent for so long that I think he might have hung up on me, but then finally, he speaks again.

"What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to come back," I say simply. It's not complicated. "Come back here, where we can talk this through without either of us walking away in anger."

There's another long pause before he answers. "You don't know what you're asking, Mia," he says quietly. "This isn't just about us anymore. That's why it's complicated and you don't understand."

"I know what you're thinking right now," I say, tipping up my chin. "But it still is about us—at least, in part. And if we don't fight for what we want, then who will?"

He's silent again, and I can almost see him struggling with his own thoughts and emotions. He knows I'm right. His heart is telling him so.

"Please," I say even though I despise the word, especially in that moment. "Come back to me, Jake."

I hold my breath, waiting for his response. And then, after what feels like an eternity, he sighs and says the words I've been hoping to hear.

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