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The magic of the cabin has quickly come and gone, and I hope we can continue what we started here, but I don’t want to add any pressure on him. I know why he and Rachelle broke it off, and I can’t say I blame her for wanting more time with him. Fourteen days wasn’t enough, and I’m pretty sure an eternity wouldn’t be either.
After he remote starts the Range Rover, Ryan grabs my luggage, and I pick up his duffel. It can’t weigh more than five pounds.
“This is really light,” I tell him, lifting the bag with a single finger. He looks over his shoulder and smirks as he wheels the suitcases out. I think about how furious he was when he saw how much shit I packed. When we lost power, I was grateful I had brought extra food and clothes.
On the way down the long driveway, I catch a glimpse of the cabin in the side mirror. I watch it until it’s out of view, and sadness washes over me because I know I left a piece of my heart behind.Chapter TwentyRyanI knew this day would eventually come, but I couldn’t have predicted feeling so devastated by it. Once we’re on the outside of Roxbury, the mood grows tense. We make small talk and discuss food we can't wait to eat while reminiscing about not having any electricity, but I can’t bring myself to say what’s really on my mind.
“Next time I travel anywhere, I’m packing three damn portable phone chargers so my battery doesn’t die,” she tells me. “Especially after you held out on me. I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive you for that.” She narrows her eyes at me, then breaks into a smile. She reaches up and releases her ponytail, then brushes her fingers through the strands. Her long brown hair falls down her shoulders, and I can’t even count the times I pulled it or whispered in her ear while I was inside her. The memories will haunt me for a lifetime.
“It was for emergency use only,” I remind her, blinking away my thoughts. “But it’s not a bad idea to carry one or two around with you just in case.”
“Yeah, definitely.” She sighs. “So what do you plan on doing when you get back?”
“Working.” I shrug.
“Duh. That’s a no-brainer.” She chuckles.
“What do you plan on doing?” I ask, trying to keep the conversation going.
“I’m scheduling a spa day and dragging Cami with me since I know she’ll be a stress ball. You wanna join us for mani’s and pedi’s?" She smirks.
I snort. "Thanks, but I’ll let you two have a girls’ day without me. Plus, I’ll be working doubles until the wedding.”
Immediately, I notice her smile falter, but she quickly puts it back on. I honestly wish I could spend more time with her without the distractions from the outside world and take her out on a real date.
After spending two weeks alone with Kendall, I’m a changed man, but I’m fighting a war with myself over the way I feel for her. It’s hard for me to comprehend it, and it scares me how fast I’ve fallen for her. I know I’m going to disappoint her. I hate I’m going to be working longer shifts, but my boss warned me this would happen. It’s only fair to try to make up for what I missed. Not to mention, I'm taking off for Cami's wedding next weekend.
"Probably for the best since I need to catch your sister up on everything that’s happened. Can’t do that with you around." Kendall waggles her eyebrows at me, and I chuckle.
"Oh yeah, please tell my sister all kinds of juicy details about me. I’m sure that won’t be weird.”
She chuckles. “I had to hear everything about Eli, so it’s only fair.”
I grab her hand and bring it to my lips, then press a kiss to her knuckles. Not letting go of her, I rest our intertwined fingers on her thigh as she leans her head against the headrest and smiles.
As I continue driving, our conversations become more sporadic. Needing to fill the silence, I turn on the radio and listen to NPR.
“You can change it if you want,” I offer after thirty minutes of listening.
“Nah, it’s fine,” she says, then continues. “But I could really use a coffee right now.” Kendall gives me big puppy dog eyes and grins. I think back to how pissed she was when I refused to stop on the way to Roxbury. So much has changed in so little time. Once we're about twenty minutes outside of the city, I spot a coffee shop.
When I park on the street, she looks at me with wide eyes, then laughs. "Seriously? Mr. Absolutely-we’re-not-stopping has stopped?”
“For you? Yes, I aim to please," I say and throw a wink her way.
