Page 68 of True Abandon

“I’m not being condescending or placating. I’m being honest. You were just a kid—a stupid kid, but you didn’t mean to hurt me. I know that. And I forgive you.”

The words feel so good—I didn’t think they would, but they do. I let out a bit of a laugh so low only I hear it.

He makes a motion to get up, but I push him down.

“Let me finish. You have a really nasty burn.” I give him an extra lather to make sure I got everything. My fingers go back to outlining his tattoo. “I mean it. I no longer believe you intentionally hurt me.”

This time, he doesn’t even try to stay still. He sits up and looks down into my eyes. “It doesn’t change what happened.”

I move back and sit on the coffee table behind me. I lean into his space just as he leans into mine.

“I know. That’s why I don’t want to keep looking into the past. I want to move forward. I might be able to forgive, but I’ll never forget.”

“I would never expect you to.”

“And, while the relationship we had was one of teenagers, that doesn’t mean that we, as adults, can’t be friends. Acquaintances. Whatever.”

“Friends.” The word comes out slow and steady with a questioning tone. He nods. “I’d like that.” His teeth skim his lip as he looks down at the ground and then up to me. “I want you to trust me.”

With a side shrug, I reply. “Trust has to be earned.”

He nods his head, his brows furrowed in a deep v. “Give me your phone.”

I lean back, confused. “Why?”

He shakes his head and leans further into me. I think he’s going to hug me. Instead, he reaches around, onto the coffee table and grabs his cell phone.

“Turn around,” he orders so I angle my body to the side and look at the dining room behind me. There’s a shutter sound and then his fingers type.

My cell phone pings from inside my pocket signaling a text has come in. I put my hand inside and start to take it out.

“Don't open the text,” he commands, making me turn back toward him with a jutted out chin. A coy look takes over his face as he explains. “I sent you a dick pic.”

My head shakes with utter confusion. “What is wrong with you?”

His hands are quick to mine in assurance. “It’s collateral.”

This ridiculous notion make me laugh a little. “What the hell am I going to do with a picture of your junk?”

He stares at me before laughing, too. It’s deep and soulful and music to my ears. “I have no fucking clue. Work with me here. I’m improvising.”

“I’m never looking at that text,” I say in disbelief of what is on my phone right now.

“Good. My boys aren’t as manly as they once were.” His dimples come out with his grin as he goes into his phone again and says, “Deleted.”

I rest my hand in my palm and look to the side as I try to figure out how this incredibly awkward man walked back in my life and made it all feel right.

He continues to chuckle until his body simmers down and he clears his throat. “So, I have a few more days here. Unless you want me to go—”

“No,” I say rather quickly. “I mean, I’d love for you to stay. I can’t spend all my time with you. I have a new guest next door. Eric Duvane. He’s here on business, and I have to show him around.”

“Another guy?” He raises a brow.

“Ha. Ha. He works with my old boss, so I have to be uber professional.” I look outside at the setting sun and think of my plans for the evening. “There’s a bonfire tonight. It’s just locals. Well, if you consider me a local. Just a bunch of us getting together to have some drinks on the beach.” I look up at him, and for some reason, I’m suddenly rather bashful. “Do you want to come?”

Without missing beat, he answers, “I’d love to.”

Chapter sixteen