“You’re leaving?”
Jake asked, his eyes locked on hers. He somehow managed to look like a hurt little puppy and a pissed-off pit bull all wrapped into one.
Ignoring the little voice inside her head telling her she should stay, Olivia said, “I need some time alone, Jake. To think about everything.”
“Uh, I’ll just...take these,” Mac said as she reached for Olivia’s suitcase and bags. To Olivia she said, “I’ll meet you in the car.”
Olivia just stood there awkwardly, looking everywhere but at Jake.
“Olivia, look at me.” After a few seconds, he added a sincere, “Please.”
Hesitantly, Olivia’s eyes found his, and she saw what Mike had been talking about. Jakedidlook like he’d lost his whole world.
She felt the same way. The only difference was, good intentions or not, Jake had brought this on himself.
His voice was low and overflowing with anguish. “The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you.”
“I know.”
Olivia’s whispered response surprised her, mainly because it was true. Jake wasn’t a vicious person. She knew he cared about her and wouldn’t intentionally hurt her.
Except shewashurt, and like it or not, he was the cause.
He lifted his hand tentatively, but Olivia stepped out of his reach. If he touched her, she’d never have the strength to walk away.
Jake’s eyes started to glisten as he lowered his hand back to his side. He hung his head, and Olivia felt his pain clear through her own battered soul.
“Baby, I’m so sorry.”
His whispered words were so soft, she almost missed them. Olivia forced herself to ignore the hitch in his voice, but when Jake raised his head and those beautiful, sad eyes found hers once again...
God, were thosetearstrailing down his cheeks?
No, no, no.
She had to get out of here before she did something stupid, like grab hold of his shirt, pull him to her, and never let him go.
“Goodbye, Jake.”
The words felt as though they were being ripped straight from her heart. They were words Olivia never thought she’d say. Not like this.
She turned to leave, and this time, Jake did touch her. His hand flew out to gently grabbed her wrist.
“Liv, wait!” He sounded as desperate as she felt.
“I can’t.” She shook her head and felt her own cheeks becoming wet.
“I’ll make this up to you, Olivia. I swear to God I will. I love yousomuch. Just...just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”
Olivia looked up at his blurred image and said, “You can let me go.”
She knew her words held a double meaning, and they tore her heart in two.
Jake let her wrist go, but pleaded, “Baby, please. Don’t go. Not like this.”
She wiped her eyes, barely managing to say, “I have to, Jake.” She sniffed. “And you have to let me. I need some time to deal with...everything. Cetro. Carlos Hernandez. My brother.You. I need some space, and you need to give it to me. So, please don’t call me, and don’t come by. When I’m ready”—her throat worked its way past the giant lump there as she swiped at her tears—“if I want to talk, I’ll come to you. Until then, I just...I need to be left alone.”
Olivia turned and walked out the door, afraid that if she stayed there one more second, Jake would start begging again. She wasn’t strong enough to tell him goodbye twice.
