Page 148 of Come to Me

Any hint of joy drops off his face as he looks at the ring. "I'm not taking it back."

"It's your mom's."

"Yes. And I want you to have it."

My heart breaks a little more as I shake my head. "I wasn't talking about the ring, actually."

"Good. Because I'm not giving up on that."

I swallow, hard. The leather of my purse is smooth and supple against my fingertips, but I have to let go. I have to pry that notebook out and hand it to him.

I take a deep breath, trying to ease the knot of tension in my chest.

It will be easier once I give this to him. I'll be done.

I reach into the purse, running my fingers against the slick cover of the notebook. There's no more hiding after I give him this.

I suck in another deep breath. Any more of them and I might make myself pass out.

This might turn out okay. I have to believe it.

I pull the notebook from my purse and hand it to him. He presses his fingers into the cover, staring at it like it's the greatest work of American literature.

He offers a tiny smile. He must be relieved I'm not insisting he keep the ring. But why? If he's really dead set on breaking up, he should take it back.

That's more than something.

He turns the cover, his eyes passing over the first page. My stomach twists in knots.

"Don't read it yet," I blurt out. "Please."

He nods, closing the cover. "Okay."

"I, uh, I made some plans. For this weekend. I know you made yourself clear in Hawaii. And maybe that whole thing about making me happy was sparing my feelings, but..." My head spins. God damn. It really is bright in here. "Just, well, if you change your mind. If you decide you want to be with me, then meet me at the Marina at 11 A.M."

He laughs. "Bright and early at 11 A.M.?"

I nod.

He meets my gaze. His eyes are still so fucking gorgeous.

A long silence passes.

Like we could stare into each other's eyes forever.

"Okay," he finally says, gripping the notebook tightly.

A lightness floods my body.

This really might turn out okay.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Luke

Ihug Alyssa goodbye, doing my best not to hold her too tightly.

It takes all of my strength to shut the door behind her, to stay put instead of dragging her to bed and holding her all fucking day.