“There’s actually something I need to ask you.”
The hand working wonders on my neck slips beneath the water as he leans back just enough to create space between us. I instantly hate it.
“What is it?” Worry squeezes my sternum as I run my eyes over him again.
“It’s not that big of a deal.”
Whatever it is, he’s trying to downplay it.
“Emmett.”
There’s the smallest shake of his head before his arms tighten around me.
“Emmett,” I say again, softer this time. “Just tell me.”
“If you can’t . . . I’ll figure it out. It’s not a big deal or anything.” He stares at the candle flickering.
“I’d do just about anything you asked.”
His muscles unfurl and he pulls me into his lap. It feels more intimate than any other time we’ve touched, which seems insane considering the things I’ve let him do to me.
“What a fucking pair we make,” he mumbles under his breath. “I know that, and maybe that’s why asking you is so fucking confusing. There’s no one else I’d want to ask, even if I had other people. But knowing that’ you’ll say yes without a second thought makes me feel like a dick.”
“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that? I’m not incapable of saying no, I just chooseyeswhen I want to.” I’ve earned the nickname my brothers gave me, but I also genuinely like helping the people I care about. It makes me feel useful.
“I need to get back home.”
The warmth drains out of me so fast it feels like a lead weight dropping through my stomach. “Oh. Yeah, okay,” I offer absently. Internally, I’m spinning the hell out. I knew he wasn’t here to stay. That’s always been the deal—he can’t stay. He can’t give me more. Leaving was always going to be rough, but I thought I had more time.
“Hey.” He grips my chin, pulling my gaze back to him. His soft smile punches straight through my chest, telling me to brace myself. “Aspen, I’m not leaving—not for good. Not yet.”
“Oh,” I mutter, my lungs finally inflating again. Maybe this was the reminder I needed. I’ve given him too much already. I should hold some back, but I don’t think I can.
“I just need to get back for a few hours and take care of some things. Will you come with me?”
“Come with you?” Disbelief makes my voice hollow. I thought maybe he would ask to borrow my car or something, but he wants . . .
“Like . . . drive you?”
“You can drive if you want or I can.” He shrugs, nose wrinkling slightly, and it’s strangely adorable on him—all rough edges and quiet sincerity. Just . . . Emmett. “Obviously, we’ll need to take your car.”
“And that’s why you’re a nervous wreck?”
He sits straighter. “I’m not nervous—I don’t get nervous. Whoever told you that clearly doesn’t know me.”
I run my thumb over his cheekbone. “I know you.”
“Do you?”
I nod, my lip pinned between my teeth. So much for holding back. “I know you care more than you let on. You’ve never let me know, despite insisting that you do life alone. Hell, you brought me coffee, so I think we can addthoughtfulto the list. And even though you don’t want to, you worry about the people in your life. You’ve made friends with the guys.”
“That was forced,” he insists, but there’s no conviction behind it.
“You could have bailed, but you didn’t. Atlas likes you.”
“I saved Harlowe, and he likes everyone.”
“Jude, the only person in Wyoming grumpier than you didn’t call you a dumbass, so that’s something.”
