Page 23 of Tied to You

Our eyes dance. “Will you kiss me?”

He looks at my lips, slowly leaning forward.

I shut my eyes, waiting for them to touch mine.

“No,” he whispers, his warm breath hitting my lips.

My eyes snap open.

“I want to, Mollie. But, I don’t think you really wantmeto.” He stares at me, and I know what he means. “I’ll make a deal with you.”

What is it about this night and making deals?

“If after a year you decide to return home, I’ll gladly go with you.”

“Hen?”

“Shh.” He pulls me into his arms. “I’ll wait for you. And if I wait and you decide you don’t want to come back, then I’ll move on, find a job and keep my head down.”

Pulling back, my misty eyes meet his. “You’d do that?”

Kissing my head, he keeps his lips close to my head. “For you, yes.”

I let a tear slip. “You’re too good for me,” I tell him.

“Probably.”

I nudge him playfully, wiping my eye.

“You and me, we have something pure. I can promise to love you with everything I have until the day I die, but only when you’re ready to let me love you. Until then, you need to focus on you.” Kissing me once again, he then stands and walks to his wardrobe.

I blink rapidly. I really don’t deserve his friendship, let alone his love.

“Here,” he says, passing me a white polo hoodie and a pair of his comfy trousers.

I hold my hand out, accepting them. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Once I’m dressed, Henry drives me back to the farm. I had half expected to see Travis’ bike here, but then considering how much we drank earlier, he really shouldn’t be riding anywhere tonight.

Henry pulls to a stop, keeping the engine running.

“Thank you for dropping me back,” I say, clutching my things as I lift my hand to the door.

“Stop thanking me,” he playfully scolds.

“Sorry.”

“And stop apologising.”

My lips part to apologise, but I stop myself, raising a smile instead. “I’ll wash these and message you?” I say, dipping my chin towards his clothes I’m wearing.

“Keep them.”

I raise a brow at him.

“They’re yours. I only want them back if you come with them.”