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“Yeah. Of course.”
I cupped her cheek. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You saved my life. You saved me from myself. In a lot of ways, Cecilia and I got away from my father because of you. Because you kept pushing. Because you kept coming back. Because you kept talking, even when I wanted you to stop.”
She smirked. “It’s what I do best.”
I chuckled. “I know, trust me.”
“Hey, now. Them’s fightin’ words.”
I stroked her cheek with my thumb. “I need you to know that whatever you decide you want with your life--or need with your life--I support you. Not because I feel I have to, but because I want to. I love you, Rae. And watching you flounder like this kills me. If anyone deserves a clear path to happiness, it’s you. I hope the information on that page helps.”
She nuzzled against my skin. “I’m sure it will, Clint.”
I brought her in for a hug. “Come here, beautiful.”
She sighed against me as her arms slipped around my waist. I buried my nose in her hair, sniffing deeply. Committing her scent to memory. I felt a weight lifting itself off my shoulders. I felt lighter on my feet as I stood there, swaying us side to side. I didn’t care that I was sweating down my back. I didn’t care that my feet hurt. All I cared about was soaking in this time with Rae before she made a decision.
Then she pulled away.
“I might not know what I want for my future, but I know what I want right now.”
I nodded. “Name it.”
She took my hand. “I want you to come up to the room with me.”
And as she tugged me toward the gate, I saw heat ignite behind her eyes.
A heat I had missed seeing in her stare.
33
Raelynn
I closed the hotel room door behind me and locked it. I turned around, facing Clint as he gazed out the balcony window. I watched him slowly turn around, lumbering around on his feet. He kicked his shoes off as his gaze met mine, and I felt my heart skip a beat.
He was putting on a damn good show of
being fine with all this. But I saw the pain in his eyes. The limp in his step. His body hurt. His heart ached. And I hated being the one responsible for it.
I felt no better than his father.
“Clint, I don’t want us to be over.”
He sighed. “Me neither. But--”
I nodded. “But… you’re right. I do have to look at everything from all angles.”
“Yes. You really do. You deserve that. You know, for yourself.”
“I need you to understand--”
“Rae, that isn’t necess--”
“You had your chance to talk, and now it’s mine.”
He snickered. “This how we’re going to be talking to one another from now on.”
I grinned. “If that’s what it takes for you to hear me out.”
