Page 15 of This Is Love (The Light to My Darkness 3)

"Which is?"

"That you and James broke up. And that he thinks I convinced you to run away with me." He searched my face.

So Rob really hadn't talked to James. Neither had his parents. He didn't know. Or maybe he didn't believe them eith

er.

"So now I'm here to actually convince you to run away with me." He lightly touched the bottom of my chin so that I'd look into his eyes.

A part of me wanted to say yes. I wanted to feel the comfort of his arms around me. And see that smile that always made me smile too. The only problem was that I didn't love Tyler. It wouldn't be fair to him or...fuck, Melissa. "I'm still in love with him," I said.

Tyler shook his head. "You broke up. You left him and New York. You're standing in the rain crying because of him. And I'm here for you. We can go wherever you want. We can start a new life together."

"I'm still in love with him," I said again, a little quieter.

He let go of my shoulders. "Okay, but that feeling will fade. You have to move forward."

I shook my head.

"What, so you're going to go through your whole life missing him?"

"What else am I supposed to do, Tyler? He was it for me. There is nothing after him. I was ready to give my whole life to him. That feeling doesn't just disappear after a fight."

"Be with me. I'm right here. I've always been here for you. I'd never do anything to hurt you. Let me fill that void."

"I can't."

"Why? I know you love me. We're great together. I know you felt it back in school. I know you can feel it again."

"I could never hurt Melissa like that."

"We already broke up."

"What?"

"I broke up with her before I came here."

"Why did you do that? You only just started dating." God, she's going to hate me.

"I thought you were getting married. I was at peace with that. Or in denial or something. These past few years haven't been a lie, I was your friend. I enjoyed being your friend." He scratched the back of his neck with his hand. "But when I found out you two broke up, all I wanted to do was see you. I think I had buried my feelings. I don't know. But I just knew I needed to see you. I never stopped loving you, Penny. And I'll never stop loving you."

I shook my head back and forth.

"I didn't want this to happen. All I've ever wanted was for you to be happy. I thought that James was that for you, so I just accepted where I was. But when I found out it was over...it feels like my second chance. Our second chance."

"I'm sorry. But it's like you just said. Except, I never stopped loving him. And I'll never stop loving him."

"I can wait. I'm used to waiting. I'll wait my whole life for you, Penny. Don't you see that?" He put his hand on the side of my face.

"Tyler, I don't want you to wait."

"Don't say that. I know you need time to heal from this. I'll wait until you're ready."

"I'll never be ready."

He shook his head. "I love you. Tell me to stay. Choose me. Penny, please give us a chance. I need you. Meet me halfway."

"You don't need me. You need some sweet girl who will put you first. Who thinks the sun rises and sets with you. You deserve that. I can't give you that."

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