Page 17 of Let Me

After the first bite, I’m in love.I never knew food could make me moan, but here I am, moaning and helpless to control it.

“Good, right?”

“Oh my!It’s amazing!”

“It is, but let’s not get carried away.”

I chuckle.“I just moaned.It’s a little too late for that.”

I watch as he bites into his.Shaking his head, he says, “Mmm, mmm, mmm.This should be illegal.”

“I’m glad it’s not, or I’d be facing several charges.”

He laughs.

So do I.

This feels nice andfriendly, but sometimes the way he looks at me says something else.Or maybe Iwantit to say something else.That’s probably what it is.

Just have fun with the guy, Autumn, and stop trying to make it something that it’s not.You already know where he stands when it comes to relationships.He doesn’t want that.He wants friends.So, just be that.

He says, “I want to tell you something.”

“Okay.Tell me something.”

“I don’t usually share this with people.In fact, there are only a few that know.”

“Wait—are you sure you want to tellme?I haven’t known you very long.”

“I know.”

“Then—”

“I feel like I can trust you,” he cuts me off to say.He takes a deep breath, releases it slowly, and says, “I’m dying.”

I frown.The room stills.Everything goes silent except the ringing I hear in my ears.Did I hear him correctly?

“What’d you say?”

“I said I’m dying.”

“Judah, that’s not funny.”

“It wasn’t meant to be.”

“You’re not dying.”

“I am.I have brain cancer,” he says flatly.Point-blank.There’s no sadness in his voice.No pause.He just laid it bare, handing me something that I’m not ready to take.

“No.”

“Unfortunately, yes,” he piles on.

“Judah…” I place a hand over my heart, feeling a pain in my chest at his admission.Cancer.Who wants to hear that?The news must’ve hit him hard.I can’t even imagine what would go through a person’s mind after that.

He says, “I’m sorry to spring this on you.I probably shouldn’t have.”

“I’m—I don’t know what to say.I’m so sorry.”

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