Page 17 of Love You From Afar

“I volunteer at the local animal shelter almost every weekend.” Her tone is featherlight, almost a whisper. “I know it sounds lame or boring to most people, but I love animals. Being a volunteer at the shelter brings me so much joy. It’s what I look forward to each week.”

My guarded heart softens a little at her confession because, of course, Skylar would spend her weekends at an animal shelter. Just another reason why my asshole of a brother doesn't deserve her.

“Why would I think that’s lame?” I ask. “I actually think it’s pretty damn cool. I have two dogs at home, Max and Milo.” My lips turn up in a smile at the thought of my fur buddies. “Those two dogs are my world.”

“Really?” Skylar’s face lights up. “What kind of dogs are they?”

“Labradors. Max is a yellow lab and Milo is chocolate.” If I wasn't driving, I would whip out my phone and show her the eight hundred photos I have saved of them.

“Labs are the best.” A soft smile curves her lips. “We always have a few at the shelter.”

My thoughts circle back to how Skylar saidshevolunteers at the shelter on the weekends, as in by herself.

“Does Elliot ever go with you?”

“No,” she grimaces, shaking her head. “Animals aren’t really his thing.”

I wish my brother could see the look on her face right now. How does he not realize how lucky he is to have her? I wish Skylar could see that there are men out there who would give her the world on a silver platter. Selfishly, I wish she knew that one of those men is sitting less than three feet away from her.

I shake my head, pushing away the thought because I’m only kidding myself at this point. She had the choice in the palm of her hand, and she chose him. She made her decision, and I need to get the fuck over it. But because I can’t keep my mouth shut, I tell her exactly what I’m thinking.

“It doesn't matter if animals are his thing or not.Youshould be his thing, Skylar. He should be there for you.”

Instead of responding, she turns her gaze towards the passenger window, looking out at the open fields blurring by.

“Skylar, I’m serious,” I push. “I asked you to tell me one thing that you two enjoy doing together, yet you’ve failed to mention anything outside of a corporate happy hour. Do you think things are going to magically change once you have his last name, once you’re legally bound to him? Have you really thought about the life you're signing up for?”

I don’t mean to pry, and I know I shouldn't even care. But an unavoidable feeling of dread fills my lungs at the thought of her making a decision she’ll regret for the rest of her life.

“My relationship with Elliot is none of your business,” she snaps. Even though her tone is sharp, her gaze is hollow. Almost lifeless.

“I know it’s not,” I exhale, running a hand through my hair. “I just don’t want you to—”

“I love this song,” she interrupts, putting an end to this conversation as she reaches to turn up the volume. “I haven’t heard it in forever,” she adds asSkinny Loveby Bon Iver flows through the speakers.

I wonder if she’s listening to the lyrics and thinking the same thing as me. Why is she choosing to spend her life withhimwhen she could have so much more? She’s insanely beautiful with a kind, pure heart. She has a great head on her shoulders and can financially support herself with her career alone. I just don’t understand.

Deciding to let the conversation go, I sneak one last look at her. The gray skies reflect against her silver eyes as she gazes out the window. She’s looking up at the clouds like she wants to escape her body and land in their pillowy embrace. She looks like she’s dreaming of what her life could be, like maybe there’s still hope.

SEVEN

Skylar

We finally arrive in Amarillo about an hour later. The temperature gauge on the truck's navigation screen says it’s a chilly eighteen degrees outside. It’s getting colder by the hour, and the temperature has already dropped ten degrees since we left Dallas this morning. Thankfully, there hasn't been any precipitation yet, or else the roads would be an icy mess. It’s no secret that Texas is known for its terrible preparation for winter weather.

Due to the freezing temperatures, there’s not much traffic in the city today. The flatlands of Amarillo stretch beyond the city for as far as I can see. I can hardly wait to watch the pine trees and white-capped mountains roll in as we travel closer to Colorado.

To my relief, Everett hasn't said another word since our last conversation.

Do you think things are going to change once you have his last name, once you’re legally bound to him? Have you really thought about the life you're signing up for?

His interrogation replays on a loop in my mind. Who does he think he is, questioning my relationship with my fiancé? His accusatory questions were highly inappropriate and uncalled for. He has no right to judge our relationship when he barely even knows us. I can’t even recall the last time he picked up the phone and called Elliot. I mean, he had to askmefor the number of his brother’s condo.

Even though I’m annoyed and embarrassed that Everett felt the need to question my relationship, I can’t avoid the obvious point he was trying to make. It’s honestly pathetic that I can’t come up with one hobby that Elliot and I enjoy doing together.

We don’t even have a television show that we like to watch together. I always get jealous when I scroll through social media and see couples flaunting their happy relationship, cuddling up on the couch with snacks, and getting ready for a romantic movie night. Elliot works late most nights and when he is free on the weekends, it’s hard to make plans because work is always pulling him in a million different directions.

I would never admit this to him, but Everett’s questions helped put things into perspective for me. I love Elliot, and I appreciate how hard he works, but he has to make more time for our relationship. We need to find things that we enjoy doing as a couple. I don’t want to look up when we’re eighty and be known as the miserable, old, rich couple that lives in a mansion but hates each other’s guts.

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