That's it.
That's all he says.
Something inside my chest caves in.
If that's what you want. That's it?
That's all I'm worth?
It isn’t what I want.
But it's the only way I know how to protect myself.
He doesn't fight me on it; he just accepts it.
I force myself to keep my face blank.
"I think we need space," I add. "From each other."
His eyes search mine, like he's trying to find something in my expression that will tell him I'm lying. "Really, Ivy? You want to call it off?"
"Yes," I repeat, my voice firmer this time. "I think it's for the best."
Asher steps back, his jaw tightening as he takes in my words. He looks... deflated.
Like I've punched the air out of him. But then he straightens, the emotion gone so quick I question if I even saw it to begin with.
"Alright," he says, his voice steady. "We'll call it off."
His jaw clenches once then stills.
My chest tightens.
Fight for me.
He doesn't.
I nod, wrapping my arms tighter around myself like I'm trying to hold myself together. "Okay."
Asher nods too, though there's something in the way his eyes darken that makes my chest ache. "Right. Well... I'll leave you alone, then."
And with that, he turns and walks away, leaving me standing there between the stacks, my heart breaking all over again.
I stand there long after he's gone, staring at the space between the shelves where he stood.
Wondering if I just made the biggest mistake of my life.
Chapter 28
Tip Twenty-eight; We've all heard the saying, "if you love something let it go. If it comes back, it was meant to be yours." But sometimes it is wise to remember to fight and work for something if you want it and not give up entirely.
Asher
The bar is packed.
The fluorescent light above buzzing and too bright.
Music hits heavy in my ribs. Bass shaking through the floorboards like it's trying to knock something loose inside me.
