Just one more day.
No! You know you can’t.
‘And I couldn’t possibly persuade you to miss the trainand stay a couple of extra days?’ His inner world was screaming out in protest at his offer, but somehow, he managed to ignore the voices just a little longer. ‘You’re the best tour guide I’ve had. It would be a shame to have to explore the city without you.’
Even in the dark, he could see the depths of her blue eyes finding his. She opened her mouth and then closed it, a pained expression on her face. The seconds of quiet felt like they stretched out into days. He knew she was tempted, a battle raging on in her head, as much as it was in his own.
‘I can’t. I have to go.’
The flicker of hope in his heart snuffed itself out immediately as his voice of reason cheered in victory.
‘But I can send you my recommendations if you’d like?’ she added.
‘Sure.’ He couldn’t help but be touched by her offer. ‘It’s a poor substitute for your presence, but it will have to do.’
The pair remained frozen; neither one, it seemed, was quite ready to be the first to leave.
It’s over. Just say goodbye and go.
‘Well then.’ He clenched and unclenched his fists, swinging his arms by his side. ‘Until next time, Miss Jackson, I guess this is goodbye.’
‘I don’t know if we’ll be so lucky as to have another next time.’ Her voice was small and full of sorrow. It made his heart hurt to hear it.
‘You never know …’
He took a step towards her, closing the space so that they were toe to toe.
‘If you dare finish that sentence with anything about the universe, I will kill you,’ she teased.
They were so close now; he could feel her breath on his face, the heat from her skin pouring into his.
‘I don’t doubt that you would.’
‘I’m glad you take me seriously.’
‘I would be a fool not to.’
Stop! You have to stop right this second.
One more inch, that’s all it would take.
She deserves more.
Remember why she deserves more.
And with that, a switch was flicked, sending a series of images rushing through his brain. Engulfing him in memories, clouding his vision to the point where, for the briefest of moments, he thought he’d gone blind.
‘Jacob?’ Olivia’s voice centred him. ‘Is everything all right?’
‘I’m sorry.’ He pulled away, the moment shattering with one simple move. ‘I think I’m just tired.’ The excuse was feeble and flat, and it felt shameful to speak it out loud. ‘You should be getting back.’
He closed his eyes, unable to stand to see the look on her face as he bent down and planted the lightest of kisses on her cheek.
‘Goodnight, Olivia.’ He walked away without even so much as a backwards glance. His heart begged to turn, but his body marched onwards.
III
The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.
