Page 34 of The One

“We can go somewhere,” I offered. “We don’t have to talk here. There’s a coffee shop a couple of blocks away that’s open all night.” The quietness was thicker than a dense fog. “Please.”

“Rhett …”

My eyes closed after she said my name.

I’d fucking dreamed of this.

Of hearing her voice those five letters.

Of watching her mouth part as the sound came through her lips.

“Yes,” I whispered.

“I can’t.”

My sigh didn’t even dent how badly her response hurt. “You can.”

“No, I can’t.”

“Aren’t there things you want to ask me? That you want to know about? Answers to questions you’ve had all these years?”

“I told you, I?—”

“And I heard you, Lainey. But with the kind of past we had, I have a hard time believing you’ve never thought about me once. That you didn’t wonder, question—something.” I clasped my hands together, not knowing what the fuck to do with them. “I know, for me, I’ve waited a long time for this opportunity.”

“Don’t call it that. This isn’t an opportunity. That gives hope, and that doesn’t exist between us.” She shifted her weight. “This is a coincidence. You and I, at the same place, at the same time. Nothing more.”

“Talk to me.”

Her head shook. “No.”

“Please, Lainey. Talk to me.”

“Stop asking me. I’m not going to change my mind. I came here for one thing. I would like you to leave so I can do what I need to do.”

“I can wait for you.” I pointed to the closest hill. “I’ll stand right over there. I won’t say anything. I won’t bother you. You won’t even know I’m here. And then I’ll walk you to your car?—”

Her laughing cut me off. “I can’t believe you would think I would want any of that.”

When I swallowed, it felt like my spit was fuel, adding to the fire in the pit of my stomach. “I just don’t want you to be alone.”

“I didn’t have to come here alone. I chose to.”

“Lainey, please, just give me a chance?—”

“A chance? Are you serious?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “What you did is unforgivable. I told you that fifteen years ago. I would have thought you’d understand that by now.” She nodded toward the way I’d walked here. “Go.”

NINE

Lainey

Sixteen Years Ago

As I sat across from Rhett on the other side of his dining room table, I could no longer hear his fingers typing on his laptop or the deep sighs, followed by, what I assumed, was the pounding of the Delete key.

His silence wasn’t the only sign that told me he was staring at me. I could feel his eyes on my skin. On my face. A stare that I could sense even in the dark, which would cover me in goosebumps, which would make it almost impossible for me to be still.

It had that much of an effect on me.