“No,” I said, shaking my head hard, finally getting closer. “Easton, that’s the thing, what’s not possible is for me to do any of this alone. I’m not in control of any of this. This is not just my fight, to keep doing this I have to be whole. I need a partner and I need an ally.” I took a chance and, one by one, placed the boxes on the floor and moved until we were just inches apart, so close I could feel his warmth. “I need you. You’re not just enough, you’re everything I want.” I was gasping for breath at this point. I felt like I’d put everything on the line.

“I can’t keep getting gutted, Patrice. I can’t.” Even as he said it he pushed closer, but this time I would not leave him hanging. Never again would I let him think that he was in this alone.

“I talked to Priscilla.” His eyebrows shot up at that, his face completely surprised.

“What, again?”

I almost smiled at the how put off he was that his friend didn’t spill the beans.

“Yes, I called her and she told me that I had to stop cheating myself out of joy. That I was letting my baggage not only have my past, but I was letting it rob me now. I don’t want to keep cheating myself.”

He closed his eyes and I counted, holding my breath, one, two, three.

When those green eyes were on me again, they were joined by a hint of a smile.

“You can come inside.” I felt a jolt in my chest like my heart had gotten a jump-start. I tried to look for anger or resentment, but there was nothing, just that same hopeful smile that Easton always seemed to be able to give me, even when I was sure I didn’t deserve it. “These boxes are for Ari’s move.”

Of course they were.

“Ah.”

When we got to the living room, we made our way to the couch and Easton kept looking at me in that way that meant that serious conversation was not going to happen for much longer, so I said the rest of what needed to be said. “Will that interview affect your job?” I asked as I grabbed his hand, unable to stop touching him now that I’d started.