Page 84 of A Me and Him Thing
Selfless? Me?
Jordyn says, “I love you, Beezy.”
Love? Me?
Josie adds, “Me too. The car hit you. Did it hurt?”
Everyone in the room laughs lightly. I’ve never felt so loved in my entire life.
“We’ll let you rest now. We’ll be back to see you tomorrow.” Quinn takes Josie and Jordyn’s hands. Sawyer and the rest of the group file out of the room.
Everyone except Ren. He studies me with an intense gaze, then he holds my hand in his. The physical contact means so much to me, a few tears fall. I’m overwhelmed and on overload. My tribe just told me how good I am.
Am I finally a good person? If they say it, it must be true. I want to be the good person they think I am.
“Do I need to remind you that it’s not safe to run in front of a car?” Ren’s voice breaks with emotion.
Over me?
“Ummmm, I onlyyyy remember booookshelves.”
Ren chuckles under his breath. “Rest, Bree. I’ll be here at your side when you wake up. If that’s okay.”
“Yesssss. Never leeeeave meeee. Pleeeease. Loooove you.”
“And I love you, Bree.”
“Whyyyy?” I’ve never understood why he loves me.
“Why?” Ren sounds puzzled.
“Whyyy meee?”
He’s silent for a few moments. “Why do I love you? Because you don’t even know how imperfectly perfect you are. You try so hard to be good, yet you have no idea how good you are. You make mistakes, yet you never allow forgiveness to touch you. You love so deeply, yet you don’t know how it feels to be loved deeply. You always show up, Bree. Has anyone ever shown up for you?”
“You, Ren. Only yooooou. I’m sorrrrrry I left yoooou. I’m sooo sorry.”
“You never left me, Bree. You took care of my wife. Do you know how much that means to me?”
“You knoooow?”
“Of course I know. Patty tells me everything.”
“Allie likesss meee.”
“You know what? I like you too. Not only do I like you, I love you. Sleep now. We’ll talk more later.”
“Dreeeaming?” I want to sayAm I dreaming?but it doesn’t come out that way.
“No, this is real. So very real.”
REN STAYED WITHme all night. He slept in an uncomfortable-looking recliner next to my bed. When I wake up, I stare at him for a long time, his face in repose.
When I needed him, he came. Maybe I can be there for him too. It’s dangerous territory. Being together, yet not. The slippery slope of temptation will always be daring us to slide a little further.
But Ren is a determined man. He won’t let himself fall. Quinn’s right. He’s a unique man with quiet strength. He impresses me. I’m not easily impressed.
I’m ready to accept my role as the woman waiting in the wings, waiting for my turn with the best man I’ve ever known.
