Page 32 of Only Everything
“I told you I’d help you find a place or move you in. Furniture’s pretty heavy. And I have a truck.”
“I’m afraid that option isn’t on the table anymore. Not now that he won’t be keeping the apartment to finish out the lease.”
“Oh…right.”
She stood, leaning over the table to press her lips into mine.
“I should get my things. You can drop me off before you head to the market. It’s on my side of town anyway.”
“Already?”
She tilted her head.
“There’s that pout I know so well. It’s time. I have to go back to my life. To my job. I can’t keep delaying. Thank you for letting me stay until I was better. It really means a lot.”
I stood, stepping around the table.
“You’re not okay with going back. I can see it.”
Her gaze searched mine. I saw the conflicting emotions as I reached for her hip.
“I hate how you can read me so well. Staying there knowing what he did. Surrounded by histhings. Our things… I don’t know how to face it. I can’t even stomach the thought.”
My hand cupped her bruised cheek.
“I can stay with you for a few days. I can be a distraction until being there alone grows on you. I can do the shopping. I can clean and pack up his things while you’re at work so you don’t have to see them.”
Tears welled in her eyes.
“You’d do that for me?”
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do. You need me. Let me finally be there for you. It’ll help me too. Then, I’ll leave so you can adjust to your new life. I promise.”
“Maybe a day or two wouldn’t hurt. Just until I feel comfortable. I really don't want to be alone yet.” Although her head was up her eyes were down. They stole peeks as she took me in. “I hate how weak I am. I hate how I'm scared of everything. I don't want to be afraid anymore. Two days, Reid, maybe three, and that's it. I have to do this on my own. I'm always going to wonder if I don't try.”
I smiled, cupping her cheeks as I brought her lips to mine. Relief. I had a little more time to convince her. She’d see…
“Two to three days. You got it. And then you’re going to do this, Tauren. You’re so damn strong. You’re going to see that…and then you’ll want to be with me.”
Her lips separated only to close as she placed her hands over mine as I still held her face.
“Reid. I love you. You know I love you. And you love me. But I’ve been telling you for years, we can’t be together like that.”
“Not here, no. Why do you think I want to move? Taur.” I could feel my fingertips pushing down as I closed my lids and leaned in quickly kissing her lips. Thoughts and fears consumed me, and I forced them down as I stayed hovering just outside of her mouth. “You’re mine, and I’m yours, and I can wait until you feel it’s right. Okay?”
I opened, pulling back to look at her. Tauren’s nod was slow, only to turn quick.
“Good. Let’s get your things so we can go shopping and then back to your place. Do you want to bring the cards? Dominoes?”
“No, we’re going to do movie night. Something…funny. We’ll grab some popcorn, some candy…” Her eyes glazed over, and her lip trembled. “I’m sorry.”
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Something upset you.”
Tauren quickly wiped the tears away as they fell.
