It’s like swallowing a jar full of nails, but I clear my throat and shove the ticket into the back pocket of my shorts before forcing out a goodbye. “Well, I’m hitting the road now, so… you’re my last stop.”
Her brown eyes hit me then, sad with compassionate understanding. “Are you doing okay? Was it hard to say goodbye?”
I let out a dry laugh. “Goodbyes are always hard. But I’ll be seeing them all again eventually. So, even though it’s been a brutal day… I’m hanging tough.”
She nods, her eyes glassing over.
“I’m sorry if I hurt you,” she whispers.
I shake my head, but that’s a lie. She did hurt me, so in the end, I turn that shake into a shrug.
“I don’t have what it takes to be in a relationship. I just didn’t realize it until we were together. That part of me died with Atlas, and I’m sorry that you got hurt while I was figuring it out.”
My insides pinch with pain. “So, you’re just gonna stay single for the rest of your life?”
Her shoulders rise, then lower with a heavy sigh. “Maybe. Yeah, probably.” Her nose wrinkles. “You don’t have to understand. It’s just something I…”
“Yeah, I…” My words trail off because I seriously don’t get it.
She’s got so much to give to a relationship, and she’s cutting herself off because she’s afraid of getting hurt.
She’s hurting herself to protect herself.
I wish I could make her understand that.
But I don’t think I can.
She’s resolved. I can see it in her eyes, her stance.
I can’t change her mind.
“Well…” I spread my arms wide. “Would it be okay if I gave you one last hug goodbye?”
Her smile is instant and she sniffs, walking around the bar to oblige me.
The second she steps into my space and I get a whiff of her sweet smell, I realize this is a huge mistake. It’s going to be that much harder to forget her after this… that much harder to let her go.
Yet I cling to her, wrapping my arms all the way around her and resting my cheek against her head.
“You take care of yourself,” I murmur.
“I will.” She squeezes my middle, then pulls back, staring up at me with her big brown eyes.
I go still, wishing I could read her mind.
I think I spot a fleeting look of longing and…
Yeah, there it is again.
She’s still holding me.
Still not letting go.
And before I can stop myself, I cup the side of her face, brushing my thumb across her lips.
She lets out a shuddering breath but doesn’t pull away, so I act on instinct and lower my mouth to hers. I take it slow, pausing just before we connect, letting her make the last move.
And she does.
