“I broke up with her.”
“Because?”
“Because I couldn’t ... handle it.”
Ben took his measure, his face grim. “Remember when I gave you the go-ahead to date Leah, and I told you not to insult her or me by keeping her at arm’s length?”
“Yes.”
“So?”
“She broke a promise to me.”
“You’re going to have to accept that no human being is going to be perfect enough to heal your scars.”
Sebastian set his teeth together.
“How much do you want Leah in your life?” Ben asked.
“More than I’ve wanted anything.”
“Then open yourself up to her.”
Sebastian didn’t answer.
“Weallhave to risk ourselves if we’re going to earn the reward of a genuine relationship,” Ben said. “You’re not the only one.”
“If I love her and lose her, it will gut me.”
“Ifyou love her?If?” Ben asked, incredulous. “You already love her, you idiot.”
Ben’s words hit him twice as hard as Claire’s dad had yesterday.
Becauseof coursehe did.
He loved her.
And had for a long time.
“Since the ship that would enable you not to love her has already sailed,” Ben continued, “all you can do now to save yourself from being gutted is convince her to give you a second chance. Then channel all that famous determination of yours into putting her interests and her well-being ahead of your own.”
Sebastian’s brain spun.
“Show her how you feel and tell her how you feel every day,” Ben said. “For the rest of your life.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
An hour later, Leah arrived at Tess and Rudy’s cabin.
Tess greeted her warmly, and Leah entered an interior she knew well. Walls of honey-colored wood complemented Southwest-style area rugs inspired by the Native American history of the region.
Today, neither the familiar environment nor the familiar woman soothed her. When she’d called Tess to ask if she could swing by, Leah had hoped she’d be able to conduct herself normally during this confrontation. Now she doubted that possibility. Tension had turned her stomach to stone. Moving oxygen into her lungs required effort.
“I made cookies.” Tess moved toward the breakfast nook, where they’d shared many, many cookies and conversations.
Leah remained still. “This isn’t a social call.”
“Oh?” Tess halted.
