He leans down and kisses me.
25
JAKE
Crystal Clear
Ican feel Talia retreating into herself on the drive back.
And this is Talia we’re talking about. The most open, unguarded person I know.
She gives away affection and smiles like she has bucketfuls of them.
When she finally mumbles about missing me once we’re divorced, I don’t know what to say.
Is this about what I think it is?
I don’t want to give away too much.
I don’t want to assume and make a fool of myself.
But the idea of her not being part of my life makes something inside me go cold.
“Forget it,” she says finally, waving a hand like she can erase the last few minutes. “I know how you feel. That’s fine. I was just being silly. We both knew this wasn’t permanent.”
Okay. Enough.
I pull into the driveway and cut the engine.
I’ll be damned if I let her walk away like this.
Before she can open her door, I’m out of the car and walking around to the passenger side.
I open the door for her.
She looks up at me, confusion and hurt warring in her eyes.
I hold out my hand. She takes it automatically.
Her hand is small in mine, and it feels right there.
She straightens, and I don’t let go.
I step closer, closing the small distance between us.
Then I cup her face in both hands.
Her skin is warm beneath my palms.
Her eyes go wide.
My breath feels tight in my chest.
“Don’t,” I say quietly.
“Don’t what?” she whispers.
“Don’t decide what I feel without asking me.”
