Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“You said you haven’t allowed yourself to hope,” Aaron begins, and I nod. “What about dream?”
My gaze searches his. “W-what do you mean?”
He swallows roughly. “I realized recently that this has always been my dream. But I let it get away from me. Not only the house and all the work it needs but also the guy. I haven’t been lucky in love, but somehow, you made me believe it’s possible.”
“Fuck, Aaron.” His gaze is so earnest it makes my chest ache. “Of course I have dreams—or used to. Photography, for one. Sharing my life with a man I love, who feels the same about the place where I was born. And…” I force the words from my lips. “No matter where we live, he’d agree to come back here regularly for visits.”
He gasps. “You would do that? Leave here and live elsewhere?”
I nod. “If it feels right for both of us.”
San Jose is an inviting city, even if it feels a bit crowded. And it wouldn’t take long to hop in the car to find the beach or hiking trails. Besides, maybe it would be better for me to leave my hometown. If it all goes to shit, if Aaron changes his mind and decides he doesn’t really love me, I can always come home.
“No, I…I can’t see you living with me in San Jose.”
I scoff. “Why not?” It’s that same sting of disappointment from that night at the club.
“Because I’m not sure if it still feels right for me either,” he says, and I try not to let the shock register on my face. “I want to try…and live here.”
My gut churns as my heart climbs, leaving me breathless. “But there’s no way you can be sure how you’ll feel a year from now. Hell, five years from now.”
“Is anyone ever completely sure, or do they just take a leap of faith based on how right it feels?”
“Yes, of course. That still doesn’t guarantee—”
“I’m not him,” he replies pointedly. “I’m me.”
“I know that. You’re not him at all.” I shut my eyes briefly as he squeezes my hands. “You’re more, way more.”
And that terrifies me. Because if I lose him, I’m not sure I’ll ever recover.
“At first I thought maybe I’d buy this property and see if that idea sat well with you. But I’ve come to realize that even if it didn’t, I would still want it. I can’t explain it, but this place already feels like home.” He leans forward and whispers, “You feel like home.”
Tears sting my eyes as a sob catches in my throat. I don’t know what it is about hearing those words, but it makes my chest feel tight and achy.
Christ, get a hold of yourself.
Aaron kisses my cheek. “See? You are a softy.”
I blink away a tear. “Don’t let Johnny find out.”
He presses our foreheads together. “God, I love you, Jack. I don’t want to be away from you again.”
Ah, fuck. “I love you too.” I take his mouth in a slow, deep kiss that makes me feel like I’m floating on clouds. When we finally come up for air, I say, “Now show me the house.”
31
AARON
We return to the art show hand in hand and get plenty of looks and smiles.
“It’s good to see the both of you,” Mom says from Jack’s tent. She’s sitting in a chair with Minnie in her pouch while June helps a customer. “June and I have been getting to know each other. And your photography is gorgeous.”
“Thank you.” Jack retreats to the back of the tent to rearrange photos in empty spots.
“Right?” June says, joining us after ringing up a purchase.
“I’m curious why he doesn’t make a living of it,” Mom says, oblivious to the can of worms that might open.
June and I share a wary glance.
“I’m sorry. Did I say the wrong thing?”
“Nah,” June replies. “Just don’t tell him that, or he’ll bite your head off.”
“I will not,” Jack chimes in. “I just have another business to run.”
I smile at him and shake my head.
“Well…” Mom says, “I’ve been thinking about retiring for a while now, so if you need someone to help with anything, I’d be glad to lend a hand.”
My gaze springs to hers. “Mom?”
“Oh, don’t mind me, just thinking out loud,” she muses, then asks Jack a question about the eagle’s nest.
While they’re chatting, June leans toward me. “Your mom is lovely.”
“Glad you think so.”
She winks. “Think Jack does too.”
Another hour in, and Mom is yawning. “This has been great, but I think I need a nap. You wore me out.”
I help her out of the chair. “Let’s head back to the motel.”
Jack hands me his keys. “Here, take my truck.”
I throw him an appreciative glance. “Thank you.”
Back in Jack’s truck, I say, “Do you need your oxygen?”
“I don’t think so. Mostly, I just need to lie down.”