“Too many. But we have plenty of time to make up for them.”
“I love you,” he whispers the words against my lips and brushes his nose against mine.
“I love you, too.”
Now that we’ve finally said it aloud, we’ve taken every opportunity we can to repeat it. It still feels like a dream every time.
“Take me inside,” I say. “Make love to me over and over again until the sun comes up. That way, while we’re apart, I can still remember how it feels to be completely consumed by you.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice.”
Chapter 31
Goodbye For Now
? If it weren’t for the wind - Ella Langley
Ruby
The morning of my departure, Liam finds me in the kitchen staring out the window at the grove, clutching a cup of coffee to my chest. He wraps his arms around me from behind and rests his chin on my shoulder. “I hate that I have to go to work. I’m not ready to say goodbye yet.”
I close my eyes and lean into his embrace. “Maybe I should just stay.”
“We’ve already delayed it by two days, and the studio is booked. You have to go be Ruby Lynn Hayes again. The sooner you go, the sooner you can come back to us and be justmyRuby again.”
A quiet giggle escapes me. “I like the sound of that.”
“Mmmmm. Me too.”
He cradles my cheek and brings his lips to mine. It’s soft, reverent, and achingly sweet. It’s goodbye.
I turn and deepen the kiss, letting all of my longing pour into him. “I’ll be back soon. I promise.”
“Not soon enough.” His thumb glides along my jawline in a delicate touch, and for the first time since he entered the kitchen, I dare to look into his eyes. I hadn’t wanted to for fear that I might fall apart if I did, but I can’t leave without truly looking at him.
Liam’s eyes have always betrayed him, no matter how hard he tries to keep his emotions hidden. They’re full of sadness now, reflecting my own agony back at me. My brows knit together as I fight to suppress the tears burning behind my irises.
“I love you,” I murmur. The words are raspy as I lose the battle against the growing ache in my chest. The logical part of me—the part that knows this separation is temporary—is nowhere to be found.
“I love you so much, baby. I’ll be counting down the days.” He kisses my forehead one last time, pausing to study me.
“Go. You’ll be late for work if you linger any longer.
“Call me when you get to Nashville.”
“I will. Please be safe.”
“Always.”
I’ve learned to temper the fear that arises every time he leaves for work, but this is different. I won’t be here when he comes home in the morning, and the realization stings. I watch his back as he leaves.
The first tear cascades down my cheek.
Summoning a modicum of strength, I dump the rest of my coffee in the sink and trail to the bedroom to change my clothes and grab the suitcases I packed the night before. I’m not taking everything with me. Just enough to get me by for a few weeks.
When I return, Aiden and Connor are waiting for me on the front porch. I crouch down in front of Aiden, doing my best to keep the tears at bay. I’ve been a blubbering mess all morning, so it’s a true test of my willpower.
“You’re really leaving?” Aiden’s voice is sullen and quiet.
