Ronan

This conversation was not going according to plan. I tried to think of a way to bring us back to the ease we’d shared earlier.

She was right though. Even if it had been brief, I’d worried about where her feelings might have been coming from. But I didn’t want to lose her, and my chest tightened with panic at the memory of those men trying to grab her off the street.

I didn’t know for certain she was safe yet. We needed to wait it out.

“I won’t be able to think straight if you leave.”

She kissed me chastely. “Then have someone keep an eye on me. I promise not to do anything risky. Sage and I will find a new place, and you and I can go on a proper date. See where things lead.”

“There’s no point in dating,” I growled, my patience wearing thin. “I already know I want you.”

“I want you too. But everything has been so topsy-turvy. It’s not the right time to make a big decision like moving in together.”

My heart sank. I wanted to argue, but I couldn’t. She was right, and I didn’t want to be another man trying to push her around. What if I got her here and she resented me for rushing things? Just because I was completely certain of what I felt for her didn’t mean she was in the same emotional space. I was scared to let her go in case she didn’t come back, but it was time to man up and trust her.

“Okay, that’s fair.” I stepped away from her. “If you need to leave, then go. But I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere.”

She swiped at her eyes, which were shining with emotion.

“I love you,” she whispered, and as she closed the distance between us to kiss me again, I felt something crack in my heart.

I knew this wasn’t goodbye, but it sure as hell felt like it.

Willow

I managed to get through a day at work, although I spent way too much time replaying our conversation in my head. When I arrived back at our apartment and saw the new door Ronan had organized to have installed, my chest squeezed. It was a strange feeling, knowing he was looking out for me. I hated the thought I might have hurt him, but we both needed to know this relationship wasn’t just a result of the situation we’d found ourselves in.

“Willow?” Sage asked as I let myself in and dropped my bag on the floor. She’d messaged a couple of hours ago to let me know she’d made it back safely. “Are you all right?”

The sight of her beloved face lifted my spirits, and I flew at her with open arms. She caught me in an embrace and hugged me tight.

“I’m sorry I got you involved in Tom’s mess.” It was my millionth apology to her.