I had no doubt he’d hop on a plane if I said I needed him, just like he’d done when I fell apart three years ago. “I’m okay. I just needed to hear your voice.”
“You can call me anytime,” he reminded me. “Day or night. You know that.”
“I do.”
“Was that the only reason he was there?”
I froze at his question, unsure how much I wanted to share. He couldn’t do anything about what I’d learned, and I didn’t want to worry him needlessly. Besides, I doubted anything much was going to change. Gage already gave me the only thing I needed from him tonight.
Although my ex might’ve had ulterior motives for coming, he hadn’t shared them with me. So I was honest when I answered, “Yes.”
“Good. I just want you to be happy, Tess. Whoever that’s with…or without.”
My fingers tightened around the scarf. “I’m good, Dad. Really.”
“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”
Another tear slipped down my cheek. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Anytime.”
“I should finish closing up. Love you.”
“I love you too.”
When the call ended, I didn’t feel quite so alone. But my dad’s words about being happy struck a chord in me. As much as I cared about Jace, I didn’t see a future with him beyond friendship. And holding on to something half right suddenly felt worse than letting go.
By the time I washed my face and finished my closing routine, the sun was setting. Once I steadied my breathing, I locked up and walked next door to Jace’s shop.
The bell above the door chimed softly as I stepped inside. Jace looked up from tuning a guitar behind the counter, and his whole face lit up. But the instant he registered my expression, his smile faltered. Setting the guitar aside, he asked, “Everything okay?”
I answered his question with one of my own. “Can we talk?”
“Sure.” He brushed his palms on his jeans, bracing himself.
I crossed the room, buying myself a few more seconds before saying something I knew would hurt him. Then I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. “You deserve a woman who doesn’t hold back. Someone who can give you all of themselves.”
His jaw tightened, but he didn’t interrupt.
“And I care about you too much to pretend I can do that.”
Disappointment, hurt, and something heavier than either of us wanted to name shone in his eyes, but all he did was let out a resigned sigh. “Yeah. I figured this was coming.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “You’ve been nothing but good to me.”
Jace gave me a sad smile. “I knew you weren’t over him, Tessa. I just hoped you’d eventually be, and then you’d be ready for more with me.”
My heart twisted because I hated that he wanted more while I kept giving him only pieces of myself.
“Jace,” I murmured, reaching for him on instinct.
He lifted a hand to stop me. “It’s okay. Really. I want you to be happy. Even if it’s not with me.”
“I want the same for you.”
He’d make someone such a great boyfriend. Just not me.
“I’d still like to be your friend,” he added. “If that’s something you want.”
