Page 110 of A Love Like That

“Yeah.” I knew he’d been stressed about it, but he rarely talked about work. When he did, he was filled with excitement for all the technology. But he seldom mentioned the business side.

“If I hadn’t, the company would’ve folded. And I was this close to losing the house.” He held up his thumb and forefinger.

I gasped. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was too ashamed. Besides, I’ve already burdened you enough this summer.”

“Tristan,” I sighed. “You could never be a burden.”

He was silent, and I wondered if he believed me. I wanted him to.

Then another thought occurred to me. “Is that why you’ve been cleaning out…some things?” I asked, carefully avoiding Tessa’s name. I’d thought he’d been cleaning out her stuff because he was moving on. Not because he was going to move.

“No.” His voice rumbled through me like thunder. Powerful yet comforting. “It was time for some changes. Time to let go of the past.”

I nodded, relieved by his answer.

“I didn’t intend to tell anyone about this, but I wanted you to understand that you’re not alone. And you’re not a failure.”

“Neither are you,” I said, filling my voice with as much sincerity as I could.

I rubbed my hands up and down his thighs. They were strong, warm, holding me in. We were quiet for a moment, staring at the sky. At the vast and infinite universe. There were so many unknowns—about life, about my future, about everything. But right here, right now, I felt safe with Tristan.

“Maybe I shouldn’t go,” I said, finally voicing my fears aloud. “Maybe I should stay.”

It was the closest we’d come to talking about the future. We’d always carefully avoided the topic. We’d both been clear about what this was, and I’d been too afraid to ask for more.

He was quiet, and I wondered what he was thinking. I held my breath, silently begging him to ask me to stay. To want me to stay.

“Elle.” His tone was measured when he finally spoke, and suddenly I wished I could take it all back. “This was always meant to be a temporary detour. You were never mine to keep.”

But what if I wanted to be?

TWENTY-SIX

“I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow,” Tristan said.

We’d spent the morning looking for Rex and the afternoon at Bennett and Wren’s baby shower. It had been a long, emotional day. I was disappointed about Rex’s continued absence. Saying tearful goodbyes to all my friends had been exhausting. And now, saying goodbye to Tristan…

The kids were in bed, and Tristan and I were out on the back deck. This was the last night we’d spend together. Perhaps ever. At least like this.

This might be the last time he held me. The last… I tried not to cry, grateful Tristan couldn’t see my face. I didn’t want to cry. I didn’t want to be sad anymore. I just wanted one last night together. I wanted him.

All we have is now.

I’d known that all along, but I hadn’t realized how hard it would be to say goodbye when the time came. But I didn’t want to spend our last night together crying.

“Thanks for letting me spend so much time with the kids.”

“Come now,” he said, my stomach tightening from the deep timbre of his voice. He took my hand in his, bringing my palm to his lips for a kiss. “Surely it’s not just the children whose company you enjoyed.”

I smiled, trying to hold back the tears even as my skin tingled from his touch. “I did enjoy getting to know Harper.” And I’d decided to take her up on the offer to continue managing the social media accounts for Fall River Estates.

“Mm.” The sound rumbled from his chest into mine. “No one else?”

“Oh, and Wren and Penny,” I teased, guiding his hands up and over my breasts.

I moaned when he squeezed my nipples through my dress. His cock dug into my back, and I wiggled in response. His lips were on my ear, his breath warm.