Page 141 of Drive

I smiled as a tear I couldn’t win against fell down my cheek. “That means a lot to me.”

“Don’t do that,” he whispered. “I’m not used to seeing that. I fucking hate it.”

“It’s my new therapy,” I said as heat crept up my face. “That and donuts.” I squirmed under the weight of his stare.

“Stella, I saw you walk in here, and I thought I was going to lose my shit, okay? My heart fucking stopped. You’re more beautiful than ever. Whatever flaws you’re trying to point out to me, I can’t see. Now let’s squash this elephant because I want to talk to you.” His voice turned heavy, hoarse, and raw. “I miss my best friend.”

More tears emerged as I tried to clear my throat. “You don’t hate me?”

“Never. God, I could never hate you,” he assured as he leaned over and wiped the tears away.

“You never made me cry,” I said with the longing I felt. I gripped his hand and held it to my face. “Never. I miss you, too, Nate. So much.”

“Stella, I was hoping—”

My phone rang, rattling us both, and we collectively looked down to see Reid’s name across the front.

Nate sighed and sat back.

Heart pounding, I fisted my hands in my lap with a quick explanation to Nate. “This is a total coincidence. We aren’t—”

“The sad part is, Ibelieveyou,” he said as his own phone rang. “Take that.” He nodded toward my phone. I picked up just before it went to voicemail as he walked out the door.

“Reid,” I said as warm tears flowed.

This is not happening.

“I’m so damn sorry,” he said breathlessly. “Stella, I was stuck in a rainstorm in the middle of the fucking jungle. I can’t believe you answered.”

I laughed with relief as Nate paced outside the store, glancing my way on occasion. “The jungle?”

“Practically,” he said, out of breath.

“Where are you?”

“We’re in Indonesia. Adam is in some soul-searching phase, the tortured artist bullshit. He wants to be enlightened and thinks we should do it together as a band. So, where am I? In the seventh circle of hell, but I swear to Christ, I didn’t do that to hurt you. I mean, to not call. More than that. All of it. Stella, I’m sorry about what I said. That night. The position I put you in. It wasn’t fair. I just can’t help it. When I see you, I just can’t . . .”

“Reid?”

“I want you to know I respect your decision. I hate being the bigger man because that means I . . .” He exhaled. “Lose you. But you have to know I never wanted to see those tears. I’m done hurting you.”

“I know.”

“I love you, always, no matter what. You need to know that.”

“I do, Reid. I promise.”

“You’re not mad at me?”

“No.” Another hot tear fell as I wiped my face in utter disbelief. Not a word from either of them in months only to be forced into the most impossible situation imaginable. Reid sighed on the phone. “What are you doing?”

“Getting donuts, getting fat.”

“This I would love to see,” he said with a chuckle.

“If I keep it up, you’ll have no problem seeing me.”

“You’re so goddamn beautiful. That’s all I’ve ever seen.”