BooksBarbecue
Back Love Fast Save as PDF
Chapters (85)
  1. BOOKS BY LOUISE BAY
  2. ONE
  3. Rosey
  4. TWO
  5. Byron
  6. THREE
  7. Rosey
  8. FOUR
  9. Byron
  10. FIVE
  11. Rosey
  12. SIX
  13. Byron
  14. SEVEN
  15. Rosey
  16. EIGHT
  17. Rosey
  18. NINE
  19. Byron
  20. TEN
  21. Rosey
  22. ELEVEN
  23. Byron
  24. TWELVE
  25. Rosey
  26. THIRTEEN
  27. Byron
  28. FOURTEEN
  29. Rosey
  30. FIFTEEN
  31. Rosey
  32. SIXTEEN
  33. Byron
  34. SEVENTEEN
  35. Rosey
  36. EIGHTEEN
  37. Byron
  38. NINETEEN
  39. Rosey
  40. TWENTY
  41. Rosey
  42. TWENTY-ONE
  43. Byron
  44. TWENTY-TWO
  45. Byron
  46. TWENTY-THREE
  47. Rosey
  48. TWENTY-FOUR
  49. Rosey
  50. TWENTY-FIVE
  51. Byron
  52. TWENTY-SIX
  53. Rosey
  54. TWENTY-SEVEN
  55. Byron
  56. TWENTY-EIGHT
  57. Rosey
  58. TWENTY-NINE
  59. Byron
  60. THIRTY
  61. Rosey
  62. THIRTY-ONE
  63. Rosey
  64. THIRTY-TWO
  65. Byron
  66. THIRTY-THREE
  67. Rosey
  68. THIRTY-FOUR
  69. Rosey
  70. THIRTY-FIVE
  71. Byron
  72. THIRTY-SIX
  73. Rosey
  74. THIRTY-SEVEN
  75. Byron
  76. THIRTY-EIGHT
  77. Byron
  78. EPILOGUE
  79. A month later – New York City
  80. 14 months later - Star Falls
  81. MR. MAYFAIR
  82. Beck
  83. Beck
  84. Stella
  85. BOOKS BY LOUISE BAY

More time at the cabin. Is that what I want?

I glance at Byron, whose steady gaze doesn’t seem to have wavered. My body heats at the thought of more nights with him. In so many ways, I want that. I love spending time with him. I enjoy our time together. It was so unexpected, not what I was looking for at all. But with Byron, I feel like I can be myself for the first time… ever. There’s no pressure. No expectations.

It’s because there’s a natural end date, I remind myself for the hundredth time. Things have been so good between us, I don’t want anything to sour my memories of him. Byron’s shown me what might be possible for me—what life could be like when I’m not simply there for everyone else’s needs and desires. He’s shown me I can be independent even while being with someone. I have to hold on to that idea, even though I can already feel my heart breaking at the thought of ending this.

I can’t be a volunteer. I can’t risk keeping Byron and me on simmer too long, and the pot burning. Better to walk away now, when I still have so much hope about what my future might hold.

Byron and I have hit our expiration date.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Byron

I’ve tried to stay focused on work today, but it’s been tough. Rosey not volunteering to delay her move into staff housing was a surprise. It threw me off-balance a little, so I pushed it to the back of my mind to focus on the various problems that have been thrown at me all day. Now, as I drive back to the cabin, Rosey’s decision comes flooding back.

Maybe I’m an arrogant asshole, but I thought she’d be the first person to volunteer.

I’ve always known things would shift between us when she moved up to the Club. It was bound to happen. I just didn’t expect her to be so eager to make that shift.

I didn’t come to Colorado expecting to find the kind of connection Rosey and I share. I’ve tried to resist it, but I’ve got both feet in now. I thought she felt the same way.

I pull up in front of the cabins and Rosey’s sitting on the porch wrapped in a blanket. It’s so cold. Why would she be out here on her own?

I get out of the truck and our gazes lock. I wander over and she stands. I get to the top of the stairs and she opens her arms, stretching the blanket wide, and envelops me in a hug that shelters both of us in its warmth.

She rests her head on my chest, and I lay my cheek against the top of her head.