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"You're back."
Echo and I freeze at his slurred words. Oh God.
"It's been a few days."
Huh?
My dog leaves me to go back to Wes's side, and I frown at him. He blinks, and I can't decipher if he seesmeor if he's asleep.
"I missed you."
His words hit me hard. Who was he expecting? Did he replace me? I didn't delude myself that he would wait for me, not after what I did to him, but fuck, this hurts. My throat suddenly is too scratchy to speak, and I swipe under my eye to prevent the tears from spilling over.
Wes frowns and pushes himself up in his seat. "Why are you crying, Princess?"
Princess.He even gave my replacement the same endearment. I can't do this. I need to— "I should go," I whisper as I shift my weight to my legs to stand. If he's waiting for someone, I don't want to be here when she comes.
"Don't!" He panics, and I halt with my palms pressing into the cushion. "Don't leave. This is the only time I get to see you."
I skim the room, confused, before I let my gaze settle on his gorgeous face again. "What do you mean?"
He lifts the bottle as if to say,'See?'
"Are you…drunk?" My brow creases as I scan him up and down. His clothes are wrinkled, his hair looks like he hasn't washed it in…weeks, and he's lost weight. "Wes, what's going on?"
"Of course I'm drunk, Princess. What do you think? It's the only time I get to be with you and don't feel like shit." Suddenly, his eyes focus on me, and I wait for him to realize that it's me. "You left me."
A flutter of hope forms in my chest. Do I engage in this conversation? I have no clue what to do. I rest my forearms on my knees, leaning far enough forward that my oversized sweater conceals my protruding belly. This is not the time.
"I didn't think you wanted to be with me anymore," I reply softly.
"I didn't."
My heart begins to break all over again when he adds, "But then Kiwi told me you had no idea until you came here. And Rhys…he and Lilly…" Wes trails off and takes another swig.
"Why don't you give that to me?" I wiggle my fingers in his direction. Wes looks between me and my hand before he slowly extends the bottle. I take it and place it on the table. I'm about to sit back when he grips my wrist. My gaze flies to his, and I hold my breath. Painfully slow, he shifts until he intertwines our fingers.
"You feel so real tonight."
Oh, shit.
I tug, trying to disentangle myself from him, but no dice. He's too strong, and if I'm honest, I don't want to let go. I've missed this man so much. Even if he thinks he's dreaming, I want to dream with him—pretend that there is a chance for us. Just for a few more minutes.
I scoot to the edge of my seat. Our knees almost touch, and he sucks in a breath.
"What are you doing to yourself, baby?" I can no longer hold the sadness inside. Seeing Wes so broken shatters my heart into tiny shards.
I lift my hand to the side of his face, and he immediately leans into my touch, closing his eyes.
"King?" he rasps.
"Yes?" My heart is hammering against my ribs. The proximity to him after so many months and the fear of him realizing he's not dreaming are pushing my adrenaline level through the roof.
"I never told you how much I love you."
What?
I try to pull away, but he holds on tight, and his lids pop open.
