Page 98 of Flirting with 40

“Anyone who knows me would agree with that statement, so it isn’t exactly a lie.” Another reticent smile that I read as an unspoken apology. “You deserve the world, Blake. Don’t you ever forget that.”

I stare at him, wondering if this is his way of telling me we’d never work. His eyes and his words aren’t matching up, but hell if I’m going to call him on it. Shouldn’t I just be happy that I got this time with him, that I was able to experience all there is about Slade Henderson and his eternal optimism, and not complain?

But I want to complain. I want to fist my hand in his shirt, yank him close so his mouth meets mine, and pour every ounce of emotion into the kiss so that when we part ways, he knows exactly how I feel.

Fear of rejection has me rooted in place and rocking on my heels in lost chances.

“Thanks. I guess.” Awkwardness consumes me.

“No need to thank me. It’s just the truth.” Slade reaches out and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, the heel of his hand lingering on the line of my jaw. Our eyes hold, and I swear I see everything that’s roiling around in me reflected back in his eyes. If that’s the case, then why doesn’t he say something? Why don’t I say something?

“Okay, then,” he murmurs. “Thank you for letting me come and play pretend with you.”

“No need to thank me either.” I brave a smile that’s one hundred percent bittersweet.

He leans forward and gives me the simplest but most tender of kisses I’ve ever been given before in my life. My heart jumps into my throat, and tears spring into my eyes. I’m grateful that he rests his forehead against mine, his hand still on the curve of my neck so I have a moment to recover.

“It was my pleasure watching you find yourself, Blakely. Don’t ever forget how you felt this week. Don’t ever forget who she is. We’ll talk soon.”

When he leans back to meet my gaze again, I have a reason for the tears welling in my eyes—one that he can understand, at least—his words.

But when he opens my car door for me and then shuts it, I know the tears are for so much more.

They’re for who I found.

Who I fear I’ve lost.

Didn’t Slade say the heart is where everything begins and ends?

I’ve never thought those words to be more true than now as I leave a piece of mine behind with him.

CHAPTER FORTY

Slade

With my hand on the steering wheel and my thumb thumping to an unknown beat, I watch until her taillights fade around the first bend.

Then I lean my head back against the seat of my car and wonder what that sudden empty feeling is inside me.

You were just dumped.

I chuckle, but it doesn’t make it any easier to swallow.

“Get back to your life, Slade.” I blow out a breath.

A life that’s consumed by endless hours of work.

That isn’t conducive to anything more than casual whatever I was doing.

But that was before a chance encounter with Blakely Foxx.

That was before this retreat.

That was just before.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Blakely