“Don’t hide. I told you, at least every two days—a call, a text, something to let me know I don’t have to push. ’Cause I will not give up on you and I ever again.”
She looks up at me and rubs her thumb across my lips. “I have to go.”
I kiss her thumb. “I know I was rough with you tonight. I don’t want you to leave without knowing how I feel.”
“Please, Lucas.”
I pull her head toward me and whisper, “LYA.”
She kisses my cheek.
“Tomas going with you?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t make me lose my damn mind, baby. Text and let me know you’re okay.”
“If you promise to let me take the time I need, I promise I will.”
I frown.
“Please.” She takes her thumb and pushes up between my brows.
“LYA, Tessa.”
I walk her down the stairs and out the door. I hold her hand as we walk across the backyard to Jade and Ryan’s where her vehicle is parked.
“I wish you’d let me do this with you.”
“I wish you’d let me do what I need to do.”
I kiss her again then open her door. “See you soon?”
“Yeah.” She smiles, and I step back as she pulls out of the driveway and watch her taillights disappear into the night.
The pain in my chest worsens, and I take several deep breaths before I will myself to turn and walk back home.
“You all right?”
I look over and see Jade standing at the back door with two glasses of wine. I walk over, and she hands me one.
“Nope.”
“She has to get through all this. Her trips are closure to a life she built with the man she buried four months ago. If she doesn’t do this, she won’t be able to move forward.”
I swallow down the red wine and look at Jade. “Have I ever told you how much I hate shrinks?”
“A few times.” She smiles.
“Good.”
?
I sit at my desk and decide I am going to order a new bed. I don’t want to make love or fuck Tessa in a bed that she isn’t comfortable in.
I look through the dozens of webpages and decide on one I want and order it. I order three new sets of sheets and curtains, too, and then I decide I’m going to paint the room.
I attached the pictures to an email and send it to her with a subject line that reads, “Out with the old … waiting for you … LYA.”