“In the daylight, you can see the mountains surrounding us and the wild lupines in the meadow. But nighttime . . . I take a seat on the grass, gently pulling her hand to join me. I lean back, putting my free hand under my head to gaze up. Bristol lies next to me, our hands clasped tightly between our bodies. “Nighttime is when the world really shines.”
“I’ve never seen the sky so clear, Rhys, look at all those stars!”
“I’ve been coming here since I was barely a teenager. Stumbled on it one day. Actually, wrecked my first bike at that mile marker and was so pissed off. I had no reception and started trekking through the woods to get to higher ground. Then thewoods opened up to this. It became a refuge of sorts. Somewhere for me to be alone with my thoughts.”
“It’s so beautiful, Rhys. The universe must have known you needed a place that was just for you to breathe.”
“It did, and now you have it, too.”
Bristol leans her head into my shoulder as we lie there and watch the night sky. I listen to the soft cadence of her breath, my thumb rubbing slow circles on the top of her hand, and I know I would give up everything just to stay right here with her.
I hope she knows without my words how much I love her.
Chapter Twenty
BRISTOL
My hands shake uncontrollably as I squeeze and wring them together relentlessly on my lap, my pulse thundering so hard in my ears, it’s drowning out the soft hum of the refrigerator next to me.Almost.I’m not sure anything can truly drown out the nerves wracking me right now.
My eyes stay glued to the three-carat solitaire diamond ring sitting on the bar in front of me—large, gleaming, and meaningless. It’s strange how something meant to symbolize forever can feel like an anchor, slowly pulling you under like a sinking ship.
I think back to the moment I said yes to marrying him, back when I thought nerves like these were the good kind, the fluttering, excited kind that feel like butterflies taking flight. The kind that Rhys gives me. Now I understand the difference. These are sharp, painful, and desperate.
I never should have said yes to him, and now I need to face my decision and undo it. Blake and I aren’t right for each other, and if I’m facing the truth of it, we never were to begin with. Even if my nerves may end me before he gets home. Everything inside me is clawing upward, begging for escape, my throat tight, like the words are already stuck there, ready to get this miserable conversation over with.
I told myself I had to wait, to secure funding for The shelter before I ended my engagement, but after kissing Rhys? I can’t spend another day in this house with Blake. I just hope we can have a civil conversation, and he won’t pull funding in a fit fueled by being scorned.
Blake didn’t come home after the gala, nor did he return at all on Saturday. He didn’t text or call, and what surprises me most about that is that I left the place with another man. It should bother me, but it doesn’t. Friday night was one of the best I’ve ever had in my life. Rhys and I lay in that meadow for what felt like hours, looking up at the stars, talking about our childhoods, our dreams for the future. He drove me back to this house after, getting me home safe, as promised. He walked me to the door, and it was hard not to feel like I truly was on a first date, but there were no nerves, only happiness and anticipation.
“Thank you for tonight.It was exactly what I needed.”
“Anything for you, my love.”
Rhys’ fingers delicately pinch my chin, angling my head upward before he drops a single, soft kiss against my lips, then my nose, then my forehead. I melt into his touch, never wanting it to end.
“Good night, Bristol.”
“Good night, Rhys.”
The front door finally opens,and I swallow around the knot in my throat, letting my eyes fall closed for a half a moment to gather myself. I listen to the footsteps that lead him closer and closer, the noise getting louder with each step, knowing any moment I’ll be face-to-face with him.
I quickly run my damp palms against the fabric of my scrubs and brace for the conversation I’m desperate to get behind me.
He’s wearing a crisp suit, as if he didn’t walk, sit, and be out in society like the rest of us. There isn’t a single wrinkle or piece of lint on him. His hair is perfect, as usual, dripping with the air of confidence. He truly hasn’t a care in the world. When he sees me, his footsteps falter momentarily.
“Bristol. Thought you’d be sleeping longer on a Sunday. To what do I owe this pleasure?” Blake says as he walks farther into the room.
“I’m leaving you, Blake. This relationship has run its course. I’m not happy, and I haven’t been in a long time. I don’t want to get into it, I don’t want to point fingers, or have some big falling out, I’m just letting you know that I’m leaving, this relationship is over.” I say the words, getting stronger and firmer the more I go on, figuring that just ripping the Band-Aid off is probably the best option.
Once I’m finished, I wait for Blake to say something—anything—but instead, he laughs. A deep, dark laugh that is as foreboding as it is chilling. Nerves skitter across my skin as my stomach does cartwheels.
“I don’t think any of this is fucking funny, Blake.”
“Oh, trust me, darling, it is. Come with me, and you’ll see why.” Without another word, Blake turns his back to me, walking out of the living room and toward his office, like I hadn’t just dropped the bomb of a lifetime. Despite my better judgment, I follow him, nervous and hesitant.
When I step into his office, he’s standing at his desk, looking far too amused given the situation. “Oh, good, you finally learned to listen.”
Holy shit.
