“The envelope was sealed, but it looked like there was an estimate for gym equipment inside. When I called to ask if they’d done an estimate for Ruby Nelson, they said they were waiting for payment and a final shipping address. I think whoever Ruby is working with might be investing in the town, not trying to destroy it." I should have been thrilled or at least relieved to find proof that Ruby wasn’t working against the town, but all I felt was numb.
"I heard we might get a new gym in town.” Garner gave me a hesitant smile. “That makes more sense. Ruby always seemed too smart for shady deals."
"Exactly."
For a moment, we were us again. Then he handed back my phone, our fingers brushing briefly. The electricity was still there, undeniable and painful.
"We should get ready for tonight's session," he said, looking away.
I nodded, turning to my bag to hide the fresh hurt on my face. "Yeah."
That night, after we suffered through dinner and a group conversation on conflict and communication styles, I took my time in the bathroom, delaying the inevitable return to our shared bed.
"You're strong," I whispered to my reflection. "You've been through worse."
But I hadn't, not really. Nothing had prepared me for loving Garner McCrae and watching him retreat from that love like it was a wildfire threatening to consume him.
When I finally opened the door, the room was dark except for the moonlight filtering through the curtains. Garner was already in bed, his back to my side, a clear boundary established by the careful arrangement of pillows between us.
I slipped under the covers, curling away from him, the space between us mere inches but feeling like miles. I closed my eyes against the burn of tears and focused on my breathing.
In the quiet darkness, I let myself admit what I'd been trying to deny all day… that last night had meant everything to me, and apparently nothing to him. I'd finally found the courage to cross the line from friendship to love, only to discover I was crossing alone.
I twisted my hair tie around my finger and tried not to think about how empty my bed would feel when we returned home.
CHAPTER 7
GARNER
I was a goddamn coward.
Olivia's breathing had finally evened out, but I couldn't fall asleep. Instead, I stared at the ceiling, a hard knot of self-loathing lodged in my chest.
Last night had been everything. The culmination of a decade of wanting, of watching, of loving her from a distance. And this morning, when she'd looked at me with those soft, sleep-warm eyes, I'd panicked. Pulled away. Retreated like the fucking coward I was.
Because what if she regretted it? What if she was just caught up in the pretense, in playing house? What if I wasn't enough?
So I'd shut down. Closed off. Watched hurt bloom across her face and did nothing to stop it.
I rolled onto my side, careful not to disturb the barricade of pillows between us. In the soft moonlight filtering through the curtains, I could make out the curve of her shoulder, the tumble of her hair across the pillow. Even now, even after I'd fucked everything up, all I wanted was to cross the divide and pull her against me.
But I'd lost that right. Hell, I'd fucking thrown it away.
Sleep came in fitful bursts, plagued by dreams of Olivia walking away from me, always out of reach. When light finally filtered through the curtains, I’d been awake for hours, watching the gentle rise and fall of her breathing.
She stirred, stretching slightly before her eyes fluttered open. For a split second, before memory returned, there was a softness in her gaze. Then the walls came up, and she sat up, keeping the sheet tucked around her.
"Good morning," she said, her voice neutral.
"Morning," I replied, wishing I could rewind time to yesterday morning to do it all different. "Breakfast?"
She nodded, already reaching for her phone. "I need to shower first."
I watched her gather her things and disappear into the bathroom. The door closed with a soft click that somehow sounded final. The shower started, and I dropped my head into my hands.
How had I managed to ruin the one thing I wanted most?
By the time Olivia was done, I'd dressed and packed most of my things. Our checkout wasn't until later, but there was comfort in the mindless task of organizing, folding, zipping. Things I could control, unlike the mess I'd made of us.
