Page 100 of Chasing Love: The Owens
“She wouldn’t even take me back anyway. There’s been too much damage done,” I say quietly.
“Bennett, that girl loves you. You’re a fool if you think different.”
I sit on the bench as the gate clicks closed. I hear another UTV pull up, but I continue to stare at my aunt’s grave. She died too young, and Uncle Bruce never remarried because he loved her so much. I thought I was supposed to feel that for Kristie, but I was actually grieving Delaney. After we got back to Willowbrook, I was missing Delaney and wanting her while trying to pretend I was in love with another woman.
Fuck. I’m an asshole.
I stand and look around, seeing my mom and dad driving off in his UTV.
I run down the hill and slide into the seat of the UTV left behind, speeding off to The Perfect Petal and hoping like hell it’s not too late.
Chapter Forty
Delaney
Lottie and Romy demanded to take the girls, claiming they wanted to hang with their nieces. Leia beamed when she heard the word niece since she’s never had an aunt before. Sean didn’t have any siblings.
I’m turning off the lights and heading to the breakroom to make sure everything is shut off when the bell from the front of the store rings.
“Delaney!” Bennett shouts.
I stop, and the door to the back hallway shuts. He weaves around the table, and when he reaches me, he stops, staring into my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” My heart rate picks up.
“Sorry… I… am… so sorry.” He shakes his head back and forth.
“Did something happen?” I hear the panic in my own voice. “Is it the girls? Lottie and Romy took them.”
He shakes his head, straightens, and takes my hand. “We need to talk.”
I allow him to lead me to his office, where he stops in front of the couch. I sit and he slides into the spot next to me, keeping my hands tucked in his.
“Are you okay? You’re sweating,” I say.
“I’m fine. Obviously, my mom took me to Daisy Hill for the talk and?—”
“What talk?”
“The same one as Lottie. Anyway, I’ve been so stubborn, not being willing to see your side of things. I couldn’t stop harping on what I missed out on, when I should have at least tried to understand your reasons. Put myself in your shoes.”
“It’s fine.” I go to stand, but he clenches my hands tighter.
“It’s not. I’ve regretted leaving you in California since the minute I stepped out of your place. But I was too prideful to admit that my marriage had failed, or that I’d married the wrong woman because it’s always been you, Delaney. The minute you showed up in that breakroom, I knew it. But I was ashamed that I was happy my marriage didn’t work out and that it enabled me to pursue something with you.”
“Please don’t, Bennett.” I blink back the tears welling in my eyes. “I can’t. We can’t.”
“Why not? I’m telling you. I love you. It’s always been you. This whole time when I couldn’t move on, I thought it was from the guilt of not loving Kristie when she passed, but now I know.”
“What… what do you know?”
“That I didn’t want anyone else. I knew no one was going to compare to you. You are the love of my life.”
I dislodge my hands from his and stand, rounding the coffee table. “I kept Leia from you. I allowed another man to raise her. You should hate me.”
He meets me on the other side. “I never hated you.”
I give him a look that says he’s lying.
