Page 120 of Tender Heart
She offers a meek smile and gathers her things. We secure the lighthouse before leaving for the forest tree line. When we breach the cooler, shaded space, I can’t take it any longer. “This can’t be how we leave things.”
She doesn’t respond, pushing through the underbrush.
I stalk at her back, every step ratcheting up the tension between us. The fire in my core flares to life.
“Hey.” The word snaps out much harsher than I intend it to.
She stops, so still. Looking ahead. Not turning back.
“Evie, look at me.”
She doesn’t move.
I round her position and close in until we are so close our breath mingles. “What is this?”
“It’s what it has to be,” she utters.
“Bullshit. Stop with the meek people-pleasing crap.”
Her brows draw down and those deep browns lace with fire.
There she is.
“I’m notwithanything. This is me leaving you, like you asked me to.”
“One last trip to the hut? Do you actually even need photos of some busted old shack, or is this you procrastinating? We both know you’re great at that.”
The slap that connects with my cheek burns.
Her chin wobbles.
Struggling to hold back a sob, she spins on her heels and all but sprints through the trees.
Christ, I’m the world’s biggest asshole.
This is hurting us both. We both knew this was going to end with our hearts in tatters. Now I’m rubbing it in her face.
All she wanted was to spend a few more hours with me.
My gut churns as I take off in her direction. It doesn’t take long to find her standing at the edge of the waterhole we never got to swim in. We never made that particular memory, even though I promised her we would. If anyone is breaking promises, it’s me.
“Evie, I’m sorry. Baby girl, I was outta line.”
When she finally looks at me, tears streak her face.
Fuck.
She stills her wobbling mouth with the flattest smile I’ve ever seen on her pretty face. I step closer. Not holding her when she’s hurting is tearing me to shreds. “Come here.”
She shakes her head, and I move a little closer.
“Now, baby girl.”
I fold her into my arms and drop my face into her neck. “I wish things were different. I wish we...” The breathy words fade.
Sucking in a ragged breath, she pushes from my arms. “This is how things have to be. I have to go home. You need to stay here, safe on your island. It has to be this way.” She forces a smile.
I know this.
