He killed the engine. Straightened his spine, unbuckled his seat belt, and opened the door just as Jazzy ran up to hug him around the waist. He couldn’t help soaking up the smell of her, sweet as cotton candy, and how good it felt to have her arms around him.
One last time.
A big smile swung from her luscious lips and her eyes sparkled like the light show at the North Pole Village as if Roan was Santa himself.
Aww, hell.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said. “Come in, come in.”
“Jazzy...” He shook his head. “We need to talk.”
His tone must have put her on guard. She dropped her arm and stepped back. Lights from the blinking Peanuts Christmas display on the neighbor’s lawn flicked over her face in the darkness.
“Is everything all right?”
He shook his head. This was for the best. He knew it. “We... I...”
“Yes?” She looked so earnest, so vulnerable. Pressing a hand to her chest, she waited for him to continue.
“Charlie told me you turned down the job offer from Traveling Nurses. I can’t let you do that. I know how much you want to travel. I can’t be the one who holds you back from your dreams. You have to go.”
She looked a bit dazed. “Are you breaking up with me?”
“We both knew this was temporary.”
“But it doesn’t have to be,” she said. “We could have more. So much more and you know it.”
“You’re too young.” He shook his head. How he wanted to agree with her. To tell her she was right, and they should jump into this relationship with both feet and damn the consequences. But he was a cautious man, and he had a daughter to raise.He didn’t have the luxury of impulsivity that best suited youth. “There’s a big wide world for you to discover and take by storm.”
“Why don’t you let me worry about it?”
“We’re moving too fast. We got caught in a riptide of great sex.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“This isn’t going to work, Jazzy. I’m sorry, but that’s how I feel.”
“You don’t want to be with me anymore?”
“No, and that’s the problem. I want to be with you more than I want to breathe. But I can’t load you down with my responsibilities. I have a kid to raise. I’m not footloose and fancy-free. I’ve had my chance. It’s time for you to seize yours.”
“Can we stay friends? Can I hold on to hope that maybe you’ll have a change of heart? Can I—”
“No.” He heard the pain in his voice, rough and husky. “Clean break. It’s the only way.”
She staggered back, palm to her heart. “It’s over? Just like that?”
“We accomplished our goal. There’s nothing left to achieve.”
“I...” Her bottom lip trembled as she struggled not to cry.
“I care about you, Jazzy. I always will, but it’s time to let go. We had a blast and made great memories and—”
“Shh.” She shook her head violently. “Don’t say anything more.”
“Jazz—”
“I get it. You have no desire to build a life withsomeone you view as a kid. I don’t see age between us, but you can’t get past it. You’re right. I should have taken the job from Traveling Nurses instead of spinning fantasies about you and me creating a family for Trinity.”