I want to open my life to him, but I can’t. It has been wrapped so tightly inside me for so long, I just don’t know how to unwrap the layers.

“No one needs to see the mess I am behind these walls,” I murmur.

“That’s where you are wrong. I see you more than you realize. But I’m not going to push you.” Forrest releases my face from his hands and takes one step back from me. “You have to want to do this on your own. Not because I force you or you feel obligated in any way. When the time is right, I’m here.”

I wish I knew who this Forrest was. The kind, compassionate, and strong man who just wants to make everything okay for me.

With a few more steps backward, he turns to leave the bathroom, and as he steps into my bedroom, he looks over his shoulder.

“But for the love of God, can you please message me when plans change? I’m expecting speeding tickets from that trip home. I couldn’t get here fast enough. You promised me last time, and I can’t take the stress every time.” He gives me that little half-smile he has perfected, where one side of his lip rises, and then turns his head again and continues walking toward my bedroom door that he almost destroyed as he barged in here.

“Why do you care so much, Forrest?” I call after him and have no idea why the words have come out.

“You know that answer, Harper. One day you will be ready to admit it yourself too. Now get dressed, the temptation is killing me.”

Looking down, I shiver as I realize I’m still wrapped in just a towel and have been completely naked this whole time while he held me so close. It still baffles me that I let his body be so close to mine. And his touch, who even am I letting him hold me that way?

I’m not sure my willpower would be as strong as his if the roles were reversed. And as I’m feeling myself again, I kinda wish his wasn’t that strong either.

I just wish life wasn’t so complicated. Otherwise, this towel would be on the ground, and I’d be chasing him down the hallway.

If only it was that simple, or could be, even for just a short while. Is it even possible?

That’s a question for another day.

Today my emotions are already too raw, so I won’t expose them to more feelings. Complex feelings at that.

Chapter Eleven

FORREST

This woman is going to kill me. Seriously.