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She tried to kiss the other man of her dreams, but he turned his head away. Her heart seemed to seize in her chest. “Chance, please. You have to understand this doesn’t change how I feel about you. I’ve loved you for years, and that will never change. But my heart is big enough to love Jaris, too.”
“Sweetheart, I want to make you happy, but I don’t know if I can do this.” Chance grabbed her hand. “Kaylyn, I’m sorry, but honestly this is so strange to me.”
Jaris bristled. “What the hell, Chance? This is Destiny. This is how Kaylyn grew up.”
“I love this town and I love her, but I didn’t grow up this way.”
She squeezed Chance’s hand. “But can’t you just try?”
“I’m not sure.”
She’d known him for years. He was decisive about everything. This was so unlike Chance. It was ripping her heart apart. Her mind swirled with a million things to say to try to convince him it would work—for all of them. She was terrified she was going to lose him again, and this time it would be forever. I just can’t let that happen. What can I do?
Needing a moment to collect her thoughts and not wanting to break down in front of them, she stood. “I’ll be back, guys.”
* * * *
Jaris sat in silence, hearing Kaylyn shut the bathroom door. When he heard the water running, he said, “You’re breaking her heart, Chance. You know that, right?”
“How can you accept this? You’re not from here either.”
As much as he hated listening to the pain in Chance’s voice, he now knew what Kaylyn wanted, needed. “Because I love Kaylyn and will do anything for her, that’s how. And I know you do to.”
“I don’t know what to say, Jaris. I do love her. With all my heart but I’m just not wired that way. It felt so weird when you two kissed just now.”
“Of course it’s weird. This is new for both of us.” Jaris needed to turn him around and fast. They were about to lose the woman of both their dreams. “You’re like a brother to me, Chance. I never had any siblings. My dad is gone. You’re the only family I have.”
Chance placed his hand on his shoulder “You’re a brother to me too, Jaris. But is that enough?”
“I believe it can be. Sharing Kaylyn with you would give me the family I don’t have anymore.”
“Sounds so simple, but this kind of thing only works out in movies and books for people like us.” Chance’s tone made it clear he was wrestling with the whole idea and not coming up with any answers. “If I’d been born here, grew up in a family like hers, known this my whole life…it would be so easy. But I’m from a family with one dad and one mom. I have a sister. We’re the typical family that exists everywhere outside of this town.”
“And how was your life before you came to Destiny?”
“Nothing was wrong with my life. My parents are great. I love them both. My sister, Paige and I have always been close.”
“I’m not talking about your family, Chance. I’m talking about you and Kaylyn. It didn’t take me any time to realize that you two belong together. How long did you both keep your feelings buried? I know you came to Destiny to be closer to her, not just to help her train dogs.”
Chance sighed. “For years.
“Wasted years. You taught me how to see again and also that blindness comes in all kinds of shades.” He hoped he was getting through to him. “Remember?”
“Yes. It’s one of the first things I say to my students. So?”
“I’ll never forget your words, Chance. ‘Even the seeing are blind to so much that is right in front of them.’”
“What does that have to do with this?”
“Don’t be blind to how much she loves you. I have no doubt this won’t be easy for either of us at first, but we will figure it out—for her.”
* * * *
Kaylyn turned off the faucet and stepped into the tub. While filling it, she’d heard bits and pieces of Chance and Jaris’s conversation, which was still going on.
God, men can be so hardheaded sometimes.
She’d left them in the living room, needing a moment to clear her head, and nothing cleared her head better than a hot bath.
