“Fuck, yeah. Wearing that fine as hell leather jacket, looking like my Leather Daddy fantasy come to life.” He takes a step closer, his hand grabbing the bottom of my jacket. “What’s a guy gotta do to get a ride on this bike?”

The first genuine smile I’ve had all day slides on my lips. “Maybe after graduation, we can go for a ride.”

“I’ll hold you to that, teach,” he mutters with a smirk.

“You got yourself a deal, then.”

He watches me, probably seeing right through me. “Everything okay? You look extra serious tonight. Got your teacher face on.”

Lifting my brow, I ask, “My teacher face?”

His laughter wraps around me, holding me tight. “Yeah. You have a serious face you use when you’re doing lectures. Quit deflecting, teach. What’s wrong?”

“I hope you know that you mean so much to me, Cash. Truly.”

Taking a step back, he lets go of my jacket, eyes widening. “Are you ending this? You’re freaking me out.” He laughs, but it’s lacking humor.

“What? No! Um, Jesus. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”

Cash pulls me in, pressing his lips down on mine for a moment. Pulling back, he looks me directly in the eye. “Hey. Whatever it is, just say it. It’s okay.”

“Aida and I spoke today… about a lot of things. We’re splitting up… I asked for a divorce.”

He’s quiet for a while, probably absorbing it all. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, absolutely. We’ve been unhappy for many years. It was time.”

“Well, yeah, but still. You guys have been together a long time. It would be normal and understandable to feel some type of way about it, even if it’s what you want.”

If it’s even possible, my heart expands even more for him. He never fails to surprise me, reminding me what a genuinely good person he is. Wise beyond his years, and so full of empathy and love. How the hell did I find him?

“No, I’m okay. It’s going to be rough, and not everything has been decided yet. We have to sell the house, and Aida needs to figure out where she’s going to go, but I wanted you to know anyway.”

“Thank you,” he whispers. “I’m here, but I also know this is a lot for you, so if you need some time to figure it all out, that’s cool too. I’m not going anywhere.”

Pressing a kiss to his forehead, I say, “You’re amazing, you know that?”