Page 97 of A Simple Love

I swallowed the thick feeling in my throat.

“Would my friend ship me some pies on occasion?” I asked lightly.

She smiled, even as her eyes became glassy. “I think we can arrange that.”

“Maybe some of this chicken,” I added. “Dry ice would keep it fresh. I’ll pay overnight shipping.”

She shook her head. “Spoiled actor.”

I grinned and winked at her. “Perks of the job.”

She smiled and went to refill her water glass. I reached inward and found the actor in me, determined to be what she needed for the next while.

Olly, her friend.

If I managed to pull it off, it would be the performance of a lifetime.

23

OLIVER

Ithrew my case in the back of the rental car, shutting the trunk and releasing a long breath of air. It felt as if I were in a dream. A nightmare, more like it.

I had barely seen Kassie in the past week. She was constantly gone. I told myself she was busy. Living her life. Exactly what I wanted her to do.

I ignored the part of me that felt hurt and wondered if she was avoiding me.

And now, I was leaving.

Her car was in the driveway, so I knew she was home. My feet felt heavy as I headed to her door, knocking and waiting for her to answer. It no longer felt right to simply walk in.

She came to the door, her hair brushed away from her face, no makeup. She was the most beautiful woman in the world, and my breath caught as I drank in the sight of her. She looked tired, but I knew I did as well. Hers was the schedule she was keeping, whereas mine was because I couldn’t sleep without her. I had spent one night with her since that shift began, and nothing had happened. I’d held her close and pretended to sleep. I suspected she’d done the same. After that, I didn’t ask again. I knew it was over, and I would never again know her in that way.

And the knowledge that tomorrow I would wake in LA, thousands of miles apart, was tearing me up inside. But I couldn’t let her know that.

“Hey,” she greeted. “All set?”

“Yep.” I handed her the keys. “Thanks for everything.”

“No time for a coffee?” she asked.

I couldn’t. I couldn’t sit across from her knowing I had to say goodbye. Knowing after I left, she’d clean upstairs and rent the place to someone else. Stay busy and keep on going with her life. That the time we had spent together would be a fond memory for her.

For me, it would be so much more.

I shook my head. “I need to return the rental. And you never know the traffic on the 401.”

“Makes sense,” she murmured.

“Kassie,” I began.

“Yes?”

I ran my fingers down her cheek. “Thank you,” I repeated. “For your forgiveness. For being there for me. For what we shared while I was here.”

A glimmer of tears appeared in her eyes. “Olly,” she whispered.

“You helped me move past so much. Knowing how happy you are makes my life better. You’re surrounded by friends. People who love you.” I paused. “I will always love you too.”