“But big emotions are who you are, even before you had your first beer. You don’t do anything on a small scale.”
“I didn’t want to push you away, but I didn’t know what else to do.”
“But that’s the problem. You’re trying to do everything on your own, including making decisions for our relationship. You’ve called me bossy more times than I can count, but this time, it’s you running the show without letting me have any input.” He turns to me, his eyes glassy. “I know in my bones we will be good together. Will every moment be perfect? No, because no relationship is. But this isn’t a fleeting moment for me, this is more. You are more to me. I just wish you felt the same way.”
I stand at the brink again, the temptation to jump to him filling me, overwhelming me, desperate to keep him close as long as I am able. Maybe I’ll never be normal like I was before. But with Tristen, there’s a chance for happiness.
“I do feel the same,” I say.
“It’s okay to be scared,” he whispers. Lifting our joined hands, he presses a kiss to my knuckles. “New things are scary. All I’m asking is for you to at least try. You won’t be alone.”
“And when you move to LA?”
He presses another kiss on my knuckles, holding my stare.
“I’m not going.”
I jolt in my seat. “Since when?”
“Since I realized I was in love with you.”
Chapter Sixteen
TRISTEN
Reese’s mouth falls slack, frozen in place.
I rush to say, “You don’t have to say anything because I did. We can go as slow as you need to.”
“I just . . . um . . . When? How?” Her eyes dart around. “Me?”
“Yes,you. I sense you’re in a bit of shock. I was too when I found out.”
“Can you blame me? A few days ago, we barely got along. This road trip has been a whirlwind.”
“In a good way, I hope?” I shift uncomfortably in my seat.
“Tris.” She reaches out, cupping my jaw gently as she leans close. “So unbelievably good. I’m thankful you didn’t listen and came along with me anyway.”
“Can I kiss you again?” I ask, ready to erase the ache from the last thirty minutes.
Biting her lower lip, she nods.
I need no further coaxing and seek her lips on instinct. It’s a soft kiss this time, sweet and slow. A hint of salt has me drawing back and noting her puffy eyes.
“Are you all right? This isn’t too much?”
“Yes, I’m better now that we’ve talked. But I still don’t understand why you’re giving up on LA?”
“Like I told you, this isn’t my dream job, so I don’t want to leave Rocosa—not when there’s a future for us there together.”
“I just don’t want you to regret staying.”
“I won’t.” I slide my arm along the back of her chair, letting my hand rest on her shoulder. The long blonde tresses flow over my fingers like silk.
“And if Nicole calls back and says you got the part?”
“I’d see if they’d allow me to record at my house or in Denver. I’d take an occasional trip out if they required it, but nothing permanent. After spending three days away from the crisp mountain air, I’m ready to return home.”
