Page 11 of Say Something
“Please, Jess,” he begged softly. Those damn tears came back, knocking at the backs of my eyes. “Please let’s just get together and talk some time.”
“I don’t know. I have to go,” I whispered, still backing away. I couldn’t commit to seeing him again just yet. I still couldn’t quite comprehend that he was standing in front of me. That he was here…in Oak River. Hell, if I was being perfectly honest, I couldn’t quite comprehend thatIwas back in Oak River.
Before I could get too far, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest...rubbing circles on my back with one hand while his other cradled the back of my head. My arms fell flat against my sides, hands in fists.
I couldn’t move.
I couldn’t breathe.
It feltso goodto be in his arms again—to feel him and breathe him in—but it also hurt. It hurt so much. There were so many memories tied to his touch…to his scent…to him. Memories I’d buried deep because the thought of all I’d lost was paralyzing.
He released me and took a step back, shaking his head. “I’m sorry. I just feel like I’m never going to see you again. I wanted to hold you at least one more time...just in case. I’ve always regretted that, you know?” He looked away, then back. I could barely see him through my tear-blurred eyes, but it looked like his eyes were a bit damp, too. “That day I left…I always wished I’d held you one last time.”
He walked past me with a sad smile on his face, taking his scent and his warmth and his everything with him. Leaving me in tears…again.
I wasn’t over Danny Thompson. Not by a long shot.
