“Come on, Jackson.” She shakes her head and expels a tight laugh. “Don’t act surprised. That’s what we agreed to.” She shuts the door to her car and walks around to the driver’s side.Fuck. Is she really leaving? Like a kicked puppy, I follow behind her.
None of this feels genuine. She’s lying. She has to be.
But why?
I’m not letting her end things and drive off. Not like this. My brain races to come up with an excuse to make her stay. When she reaches to open the door, I press a hand to the window frame, blocking her actions.
“I’d like to renegotiate.”
“Jackson. What are you doing?” She takes a few steps back, creating space between us.
“I’m saying I’d like to change the terms of our agreement. I don’t understand why we can’t continue doing what we’re doing.”
Her lips press together and she takes a step back. Her hands go to her hips and her spine straightens.
“Well, for one, I have a full-time job, my son, and an entire life that I put on hold for this week. In my real life I don’t have time for anything else.”
I don’t have time for you.
She doesn’t have to say that last part, but I feel it. Her implication cuts deep and revives an old wound I try to pretend doesn’t exist.
“We could make it work.”
I am willing to have whatever part of Rosalie she’s willing to give.
“Do you want children? A family? A life that includes strict bedtimes and endless responsibilities?”
My mouth parts to answer her question but nothing comes out.
Do I?
No, a family was never part of my plan. But then again, Rosalie wasn’t either, and the idea of her walking out of my life forever makes my chest ache. Can’t that be enough?
“That’s what I thought.” Her shoulders sag, and the defeat in her expression causes a fresh wound of hurt. “The thing is, this last week was so far from my reality. You don’t know me. Not the real me. This was a fun reprieve, but I’m the mother of a very special little boy, and he’s my whole world.”
“I’m good with kids, Rosalie. You’ve seen me with Maeve’s brood.”
“Yeah, but Jackson, it’s an entirely different thing to play with your nieces and nephews for a few hours than it is to date a single mom. Edward and I are a package deal, and if you’re not one hundred percent invested, I’m not the woman you really want. I can’t afford to have people come in and out of our lives. I’ve lived that. I won’t have that for my son.”
She needs commitment. She needs a guarantee. She wants someone who is all in.
I care about her. Hell, I might even love her. But am I ready for this? I’m a man of my word, and I refuse to promise if I don’t intend to follow through—which is why I wonder if she’s right. We don’t know each other, not outside of this week. I don’t know if we can make things work. Guilt settles on my chest. I would never hurt her or Edward. At least, not intentionally.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. We’re both adults here, but I don’t see the point of continuing whatever this is when we don’t want the same things.”
“Okay, and I hear you. But what if we at least try?”
“Because you’re going to change for me?” Her brows lift as she crosses her arms across her chest. If I could see her eyes right now, I’d bet they’d cut right through me. “Let me guess, you’re going to change your entire life after a few nights with my magical pussy? Now that you’ve had mine, everyone who came before doesn’t compare?”
Um, yeah.
“Do you really want me to answer that?”
“Jackson.” The hardness in her demeanor melts a little. “This isn’t a romance novel. This is real life. We have very different lives and they aren’t compatible. That’s okay. I’m extra protective because I’ve let someone steal my peace before and I won’t do it again.” She steps forward, the sweetness of her perfume invading my space as she presses the barest of kisses on my cheek. She immediately steps back as if it pains her to be so close. “This was fun, though. Thank you.”
Thank you?
