Page 73 of Your Love is Enough

“Hey.” Tristan’s voice was quiet and unsure.

She turned toward him in all his amazing glory. His smile was small. His hair was perfectly messed up. His hands were wiping donut crumbs on a napkin.

A thought crossed her mind of those fingers in her mouth and her licking them clean, which caused the butterflies in her stomach to work overtime. She wished they’d go on a break already.

Tristan gestured toward the door. “Can we talk?”

“I’m sure we have more to do here.” She turned toward Kristen.

“Nope, we’re fine. We’ve taken enough of your day. Off you go.” She all but pushed Tristan and Stacey out the door.

They stumbled onto the sidewalk. They stood on the street with the bakery door closed behind them, just looking at each other. Stacey’s insides were churning. Getting sick was a possibility, or maybe passing out.

“I’m not from here. Is there anywhere to talk?” Tristan asked.

Stacey breathed in deep, then let it out. “There’s a greenway park area this way.” She gestured with her head and started walking. Her hands felt strange hanging by her side as they walked quietly down the street. She wanted to reach out and take his hand but thought better of it, so she just put them in her front pockets.

The boutiques and shops were doing bustling Saturday afternoon business. Lots of people were enjoying the sunny afternoon, and Stacey said hi to some that she knew as they passed. The park loomed ahead, and luckily, it seemed pretty empty. They should have privacy.

“Do you want to sit or walk the path?” She pointed to a bridge that crossed the river. “It doesn’t go very far. Just around the river to the bridge. Then back.”

“Let’s walk.” Tristan placed his hand lightly on her back and led her toward the path. “Stacey. I want you to understand that I didn’t intentionally forget about Carla.”

Nothing like getting right to the point. The churning in her stomach picked up. “I know. I just…” Just what? Stacey racked her brain.Why do you keep finding fault with him?“I don’t know. See, this is why I don’t do relationships.”

Tristan stopped walking. “What?” His face was red. His breathing was deep.

“I…” she started, but the look on his face stopped her. He was angry. What did she do? “Tristan. You lied to me again. I don’t think I believe you forgot about something that happened just seven months ago.”

He faced her, and she saw lots of emotion, but not the good kind. “It wasn’t a big deal, Stacey. It meant absolutely nothing, and it never crossed my mind again.” He closed his eyes.

“That makes you shallow and no different from any other man. I thought you were different.” As soon as she said it, she wanted to take it back.

His eyes filled with rage.

“Tristan, I…”

“Enough.” His harsh voice interrupted her. “I’ve tried to understand your reluctance to be in relationships. I know you’ve been hurt and cheated on. But I’m tired of trying to get you to realize that’s not who I am, but you think it is anyway. I’ve given you my time, my attention.” He gazed off into the distance before catching her eyes again. “I’ve given you my heart.” His voice cracked. He swallowed.

Stacey froze and held her breath. Her heart felt empty.

“You’ve taken my love for you and keep acting like it doesn’t mean anything.” He grabbed her hands. “I’ve never told anyone I’ve loved them before, Stacey.” He shook his head. And closed his mouth. His eyes glistened.

Say something.Her pulse raced.Say something Dammit!!Her mouth opened and closed. Nothing came out. It was like she was a fish out of water, gasping for breath.

His eyes begged her to say something. He waited, and then an enormous sigh escaped from him. “I can’t do this.” He put his arms out wide and bit on his bottom lip as he walked backward. “I’m sorry.” A tear silently fell.

“Tristan, please.”

“What? What do you want?” His voice came out quiet and tired. He wiped at his face.

Her heart pleaded with her to say something to stop this from happening, but her mouth wouldn’t open.

He sighed again, muttered a swear under his breath, and turned and walked away.

“Don’t go,” she whispered to his back, so low he probably couldn’t hear her.

He picked up his pace, and the separation between them grew quickly.

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