“Good night,Jess.”
“Good night,Sean.”
It doesn’t take long before his breaths even out, his chest rising and falling with a rhythm that begs me to join him in sleep. The exhaustion of the day finally claims all the worries and fears on my heart. I give over to it all and trust I’ll figure it out tomorrow. For now, I surrender to what is, instead of fighting what mightbe.
* * *
I’m cocoonedin the most comfortable bed and sleepiness fogs all coherent thoughts from my mind, but the scent of bacon awakens me regardless. I must be dreaming. Cracking my eyelids open, I find daylight streaming through the open curtains in Sean’s room and the bacon is very much real. In fact, it’s being brought to me by a magnificent tattooed rockstar.
“Morning.” Sean’s lips twist with a grin and he sets the tray of food next to me on thebed.
It’s not only bacon, but waffles and eggs too. I push up and scoot back against the headboard. “Did you do allthis?”
He shakes his head and sits on the edge of the bed. “No. Deb. She goes all Suzie Homemaker when she’s upset.” At the downturn of his lips, all of yesterday’s memories come pouringback.
“Was she close with Iz?” I take the glass of juice from the tray and bring it to mylips.
“No, it’s not that.” He pauses a moment before lifting his gaze to mine. “I think she’s more worried aboutyou.”
“Me?” My brows rise and I set down the glass. Apprehension churns in mygut.
“Yeah.” Sean’s lips turn up at the edges with a hint of a smile. “So, hear me out because this is really important. I spoke with Deb and the guys. We all agreed we want you to stay here at the house—for as long as you’d like. Rent free, ofcourse.”
I shake my head. “That’s toogenerous.”
“It’s nothing. We’ll be on tour anyway. Deb appreciates your company. Besides, it’ll give you the time you need to create the life you’ve always wanted.” He holds my stare and I can’t help but fall for him more than I alreadyhave.
“I don’t even know what that looks like, or where tostart.”
“That’s why there’s no expiration date on theoffer.”
There’s a part of me that feels I don’t deserve this. But an opportunity to set things right in my life is more than I’ve ever hoped for. As humbling as it is, I have to accept. “Thank you,Sean.”
“I wish I could do more. I wish I could fix this. Heal all the scars on your heart. Show you just how beautiful and talented you are. But you have to do those things. You have to live for you,Jess.”
As much as I wish it wouldn’t, my heart falls a little with his admission. He’s got everything in his life together, and I’m a mess. It’s only a matter of time before he figures it out. My gaze drops to the sheet that covers my legs and I pick at the stitching in the fabric. “While you’re waiting . . . can we still befriends?”
His laugh comes as quickly as his smile. “Like you even have to ask.” His gaze turns sober and he rubs his lips together. “And when you’re ready for more?Ifyou’re ready for more. We’ll take it slow. As slowly as you need. Remember what I promised? I’mwaiting.”
I nod as his words set in. A part of my brain doesn’t believe him. He must expect something from me in return. Nothing in life is free. But this is Sean and he’s never been anything other than honest. “What if I’m neverready?”
“You will be. If not with me, with someone else.” He blows out a breath and runs his hand through his hair. “I won’t lie and say I’m not keeping my fingers crossed it’s me, because what we share . . . it’s special. But if you meet someone else and he treats you right and makes you happy in a way I can’t, then I’ll learn to deal withthat.”
“Really?” My brows rise, not at his selflessness, but at his commitment. If he’s really willing to wait, then maybe there is hope for anus.
“Isn’t that what real friendsdo?”
My lips spread wide with my smile. “I think you’re my first realfriend.”
“See. Special.” He winks and grabs the tray of food. “Now, you gonna eat this bacon or not, because it’s taunting me from theplate.”
I pick up a piece and break it in two, holding out one for him. “Wannashare?”
He takes it with a smile that holds more than the promise of a good meal. “I’d loveto.”
