The knot in my chest loosened the moment I saw him. I couldn’t help it, even if I tried. Something about his presence had that effect on me.
The tension in my face eased, just enough to breathe again.
When he saw me, he straightened a little and offered a small, almost hesitant smile.
Maybe he felt it too—what his presence meant to me.
But I didn’t say anything. Just passed him on my way to the elevator.
He followed silently.
When we reached the elevator, he held out the bottle and the sandwich.
He must’ve noticed I hadn’t eaten all day. Of course he did. He always did.
I glanced at them for a beat too long, hesitating, then snatched them from his hands without a word.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the corners of his mouth twitch up into a smile.
When the elevator doors opened, we stepped in together.
Silence hung between us until he finally spoke.
“I’ve been thinking a lot,” he said softly. “That’s why I came. But then I saw it—you were in one of those moments where you just needed to be alone.”
He paused and met my eyes.
“I’m your safe place. I understand that now. I’m sorry it took me so long to see it. I’ll be here, Sloane. However, you need me. As shelter. As silence. As space. Your heart is pulled in more than one direction, but wherever it points, I’ll be there.”
The elevator doors slid open. He stepped out first, then turned back slightly.
“I’m heading to Mom’s. Don’t stay too long. And try to get some sleep.”
I ambled out of the elevator, watching his back as he walked away.
A torrent of feelings poured through me.
This was always the problem with us.
I didn’t know how to be loved without being terrified of losing it.
And he didn’t know how to love me without getting hurt by it.
But I needed him. God, I hated how much I needed him.
Because needing someone meant they could leave.
And he did.
He left me. Even though now he said he’d be there for me.
But he left.
So I was right all along.
Chapter Seventeen
Sloane
