I sat on the edge of the bed, letting my bag fall to my feet. Now he met my eyes. I saw nothing but pain and regret there.

“I’m so sorry, Taylor. So sorry.” His eyes filled up.

And then instead of dread, I had empathy. I stood up and wrapped my arms around him.

“No. You don’t get to feel guilty about this.” I rubbed his back. He held my hips.

“How could I not?” He shook his head slowly.

“Maybe that’s the gift I get to give you now.” I made a choice. “I need some space. If it’s okay with Tinsley and Parker, I’ll live here. You need to get some closure. I deserve to be able to move on from this.”

The tears were flowing, and it was all lies, but I’d take this part from him—break my own heart so he didn’t have to.

He looked to the ceiling briefly before pulling me closer. He kissed my forehead and then my lips gently. “There’s no one else like you on this planet. Never settle for anything. Ever. Whoever’s next? If they don’t build you a pedestal from their own bones for you to stand on, I'll kick their ass. Now for another hard part—I got offered a position in France from Stars Unlimited. For a year.”

I moved his hair off his shoulders. The thought of someone else besides him was a jagged blade. I saw the brokenness in his eyes. The way he would staple all the responsibility for Endgame’s death and breaking my heart to his soul.

“You should go to France, Austin Burathon.” It was a lightning bolt moment. It all came together for me. “I’ve loved you my whole life. And I think it was so I’d be here for this exact moment. This moment right here. Let me treat you with love. I have so much. More than I’ll ever need. It all belongs to you anyway.”

Austin closed his eyes as if my words had hit him. It took a few beats before he responded. “I love you, too.” He kissed my forehead again and then lifted each of my hands so he could brush his lips on them as well.

It was time to tell him. I had this information to share and he was clearly going to work things out.

“Before he died…” I sniffled at the thought.

Austin’s eyes slammed through emotions in front of me. Anger, loss, fear. And then he nodded for me to continue, still holding my hands.