I rappedmy knuckles on Madi’s door and waited. It took a couple minutes before it opened and—fuck.It shattered me to see her like this.
“Madi,” I whispered. “I’m sorry. June is . . . I . . .”
“I don’t know what I thought was going to happen,” she said, wiping her cheeks. “I just . . .”
“I want you to stay,” I said. I took a step closer, cupping her face in my hands. “I want you to stay more than anything else in the world, but I also want you to be happy. You have to do what’s right for yourself.”
“You want me to stay,” she whispered.
“God, yes.” I pulled her hard against my chest, kissing the top of her head. Her arms wrapped around me as I held her, her scent washing over me. “Madi, I . . .”I love you. I’ve fallen for you.All of my words failed me.
“I need to think.” She slowly pulled away, unwinding herself from my arms.Come back.“I need to think.”
“Okay.” I hooked my thumbs in my pockets, searching for the right words. “Madi, I don’t care what it is, if you need something—call me. If you wake up tonight and want to be held, my front door will be unlocked. If you just need a friend, I’m there. Okay?’
She sniffled. “Thank you.”
“Always.” I drew in a shaky breath. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Homecoming. I can’t wait to see what you created while you were here.”
A soft smile traced her lips, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m sorry, Dallas. I feel like I’ve ruined everything.”
“You haven’t.”
“Okay.” She sniffled and put her hand on my chest, leaving it there for just a moment. “Are you okay?”
“No,” I whispered hoarsely. “I’ll leave you to think. But I want you to stay, Madi. More than anything else, I want Whynot to be your home. I want us to be your home.”
I stepped back, giving her enough space to close the door. I offered her a sad smile as she slowly closed it. The moment it clicked shut, I put my hand on the wood, lingering.
I stood there for a few seconds then forced myself to leave.
I’d known June my entire life. I knew when she was cornered, she struck. But the things she said had hurt deeply. Not just me, but Madi too. Fear of what could happen and being scared ofhappinesswasn’t an excuse.
Madi said she could stay.
This whole time I’d been preparing myself for the fact that she would go, while longing for her to find a home in this place—a home with us. I’d counted on her leaving to be the thing that broke my heart.
Not June being the one to push the chance away.
I raked my fingers through my hair, tears burning as I made my way out of the hotel and darted straight to my truck. I spared a glance at the flower shop, but the sign was flipped toclosed.
How could I be strong enough to keep the three of us together?
I wanted to hold Madi. I even wanted to hold June because Iknewthat she was hurting. I knew that she was scared of lettinggo of her past. It didn't matter that she deserved to be loved, she had to see it too.
The damn proposal.
It had been the worst idea. The best idea. A life-changing idea.
I loved Madi and June. I was in love with them. Over the last few weeks, everything had changed for me. When I thought about the future, they were in it. There wasn't a life for me without them. I wanted to wake up every day with them in my bed, hearing their laughter, enjoying the ups and downs that came along with living. I wanted to see Madi create brilliant things. I wanted to see June flourish.
I wanted to build a future together.
Loving one person was sometimes hard. Loving two had twice as many challenges. But I knew that if the three of usreallywanted it, we could make it work.
Nothing about what we could have was impossible.
But all three of us had to want it.
